Viktor E Frankl
Viktor Emil Frankl was born on March 26, 1905, in Vienna, Austria. He was an Austrian neurologist and psychiatrist as well as a Holocaust survivor. Frankl was the founder of logotherapy, a form of existential analysis, and best known for his bestselling book 'Man's Search for Meaning', which he wrote based on his experiences in Nazi concentration camps.
During his time in the concentration camps, Frankl lost his wife, brother, and parents. Despite these profound losses, he found the will to survive by finding personal meaning in the experience, which later influenced his approach to psychotherapy.
After the war, Frankl returned to Vienna and headed the Neurological Department of the Vienna Polyclinic Hospital. His experiences led him to conclude that even in the most inhumane and degrading circumstances, individuals can find a reason to live based on personal or spiritual values. Frankl's teachings have influenced many fields, including counseling, psychology, and psychotherapy, offering a way to find meaning in life's suffering.