In Memoriam

In recent years psychoanalysis has seen the passing of a shocking number of its outstanding figures. Some of these were closely identified with the early tempestuous years of psychoanalysis and saw it through its infancy and growth to adulthood. This year saw the further loss of two such figures, Dr. Paul Federn and Dr. J. H. W. Van Ophuijsen. Neither of these names needs an introduction to psychoanalysts. From his earliest years until his tragic end Dr. Federn lived and breathed psychoanalysis. To the very end, plagued by illness and intolerable pain, he attended meetings and lent an ever-helping hand to younger colleagues, reading their papers, offering advice and guidance, until he could no longer go on. Dr. Van Ophuijsen's career led him through many lands, from the Dutch East Indies, South Africa, through Holland and finally to America. From the very beginning days he was a staunch adherent and proponent of psychoanalysis. Although in his latest years his interests and activities led him into other fields, he always clearly identified himself with psychoanalysis in his teaching and thinking. These men lived, worked and left their mark in psychoanalysis.

Somewhat different but nonetheless tragic is the sudden death of Dr. John Seldon Poe on May 20, 1950 who at the age of 38 had just been elected to membership in the American Psychoanalytic Association, after having been graduated by the Columbia University Psychoanalytic Clinic for Training and Research. He was preparing to take over the professorship in Neuropsychiatry at the University of Arkansas when sudden death struck. The Alumni Association of the Psychoanalytic Clinic for Training and Research was crystallized by Dr. Poe and he was its first President. To realize one of his ambitions and to honor his name, the Alumni have voted the immediate establishment of a “John S. Poe Alumni Loan Fund” for needy students and the Psychoanalytic Clinic library has been named “The John S. Poe Library.”

Psycho