Editorial

The size of this issue of the Bulletin in memory of Anna Freud—founder and director of our Clinic until her death on 9 October 1982—speaks for itself. Indeed, we had such an overwhelming response to our request for personal tributes that we were unable to include all of them and had to shorten others. But what is impressive above all else is the variety and the wealth of the different aspects of Anna Freud that are reflected in the following contributions from so many—a memorable tribute to the unique person she was.

The contributions fall into five distinct parts. The first section includes the tributes that were read at the funeral service held at the Golders Green Crematorium on Wednesday, 13 October 1982, and attended, in accordance with Anna Freud's wishes, by her ‘extended family’ only, i.e. those who are, or were, connected with the work of the Hampstead Clinic.

The second section includes the tributes which were read at the much larger and official Memorial Meeting, held at St John's, Smith Square, on Friday, 28 January 1983. Following the four tributes printed in this issue, Gina Bon read Anna Freud's Foreword to Topsy by Marie Bonaparte, and the Memorial Meeting ended with a performance of songs by Mozart, Strauss, Schubert and Mahler, given by the soprano Helen Walker, accompanied at the piano by Andrew Ball.

In the third section we have gathered together a number of public tributes given both before and after Anna Freud's death. These include Hermann Argelander's laudation on the occasion when Anna Freud received her last honorary degree; Use Grubrich-Simitis’ obituary; George Pollock's memorial address delivered in Chicago; and an appreciation received from Milton Senn on behalf of the Field Foundation, an organization to which the Hampstead Clinic owes so much.

The fourth section is the most extensive one, including many of the personal tributes we have received, from close friends, former Hampstead Clinic students, past and present co-workers on various p