A hand written letter by Freud
Today I offer you a link to an amazing document (click on title above for link). I only wish there was some verification of its authenticity. I can only assume because of the reference to Dr. Kinsey it is in a public archive of materials.
The text written by hand in English on letterhead stationery, reads as follows:
[Prof. Dr. Freud, Wein, IX., Berggasse 19.]
April 9th, 1935
Dear Mrs. --------
I gather from your letter that your son is a homosexual. I am most impressed by the fact that you do not mention this term yourself in your information about him. May I question you why you avoid it? Homosexuality is assuredly no advantage but it is nothing to be ashamed of. No vice, no degradation, it cannot be classified as an illness. We consider it to be a variation of the sexual function produced by a certain arrest of sexual development. Many highly respectable individuals of ancient and modern times have been homosexuals, several of the greatest men among them (Plato, Michelangelo, Leonardo Da Vinci, etc.). It is a great injustice to persecute homosexuality as a crime and a cruelty too. If you do not believe me, read the books of Havelock Ellis.
By asking me if I can help, you mean, I suppose if I can abolish homosexuality and make normal heterosexuality take its place. The answer is in a general way we cannot promise to achieve it. In a certain number of cases we succeed in developing the blighted germs of heterosexual tendencies which are present in every homosexual in the majority of cases it is no more possible. It is a question of the quality and the age of the individual. The result of treatment cannot be predicted.
What analysis can do for your son runs in a different line. If he is unhappy, neurotic, torn by conflicts, inhibited in his social life, analysis may bring him harmony, peace of mind, full efficiency, whether he remains a homosexual or gets [indecipherable because it runs off image]. If you make up your mind, he should have analysis with me�I don�t expect you will�, he had to come over to Vienna. I have no intention of leaving here. However don�t neglect to give me your answer.
Sincerely yours with best wishes,
Freud
P.S. I did not find it difficult to read your handwriting. Hope you will not find my writing and my English a harder task.
[typewritten exhibit affixed to bottom of page]
Dear DR. KINSEY:
HEREWITH I enclose a letter from a Great and Good man which you may retain.
From a Grateful Mother
[handwritten archival note on exhibit]
02.22.49 KC + TUCUMCAYLED R.P.O.
The text written by hand in English on letterhead stationery, reads as follows:
[Prof. Dr. Freud, Wein, IX., Berggasse 19.]
April 9th, 1935
Dear Mrs. --------
I gather from your letter that your son is a homosexual. I am most impressed by the fact that you do not mention this term yourself in your information about him. May I question you why you avoid it? Homosexuality is assuredly no advantage but it is nothing to be ashamed of. No vice, no degradation, it cannot be classified as an illness. We consider it to be a variation of the sexual function produced by a certain arrest of sexual development. Many highly respectable individuals of ancient and modern times have been homosexuals, several of the greatest men among them (Plato, Michelangelo, Leonardo Da Vinci, etc.). It is a great injustice to persecute homosexuality as a crime and a cruelty too. If you do not believe me, read the books of Havelock Ellis.
By asking me if I can help, you mean, I suppose if I can abolish homosexuality and make normal heterosexuality take its place. The answer is in a general way we cannot promise to achieve it. In a certain number of cases we succeed in developing the blighted germs of heterosexual tendencies which are present in every homosexual in the majority of cases it is no more possible. It is a question of the quality and the age of the individual. The result of treatment cannot be predicted.
What analysis can do for your son runs in a different line. If he is unhappy, neurotic, torn by conflicts, inhibited in his social life, analysis may bring him harmony, peace of mind, full efficiency, whether he remains a homosexual or gets [indecipherable because it runs off image]. If you make up your mind, he should have analysis with me�I don�t expect you will�, he had to come over to Vienna. I have no intention of leaving here. However don�t neglect to give me your answer.
Sincerely yours with best wishes,
Freud
P.S. I did not find it difficult to read your handwriting. Hope you will not find my writing and my English a harder task.
[typewritten exhibit affixed to bottom of page]
Dear DR. KINSEY:
HEREWITH I enclose a letter from a Great and Good man which you may retain.
From a Grateful Mother
[handwritten archival note on exhibit]
02.22.49 KC + TUCUMCAYLED R.P.O.
posted by Nathan K @ 7:20 PM
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