Love in Vienna: The Sigmund Freud-Minna Bernays Affair

For many decades, critics and supporters of Freudian theory have debated the exact nature of Freud’s relationship with his sister-in-law. This book examines the arguments pro and con in light of recently exposed evidence--the first study to do so in depth.

For many decades, controversy has surrounded the exact nature of famed psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud’s relationship with Minna Bernays, his sister-in-law. Why did Freud and Bernays travel alone together on many occasions? Why did she seem to be so much closer to Freud than his own wife, Martha? The idea that Freud and Minna Bernays had a long-standing affair--an allegation that Freudians typically deny--was first mentioned by Carl Gustav Jung, an early supporter of Freud’s and later a critic. Love in Vienna: The Sigmund Freud-Minna Bernays Affair provides the first comprehensive look at the relationship and offers conclusions as to its nature and the implications for Freud’s life and work.

Organized logically, the book provides background information regarding the two chief antagonists in the story, Sigmund Freud and Carl Gustav Jung. It then presents and critically analyzes arguments for and against there having been an affair. Finally, it looks closely at Freud’s relationships with both Minna Bernays and his wife Martha, Minna’s sister, and offers conclusions as to the exact nature of Freud’s relationship with Bernays.

Beyond fascinating those studying Freud or his theories, this work’s subject matter and insights will appeal to readers interested in the history of psychology, psychoanalysis, and psychiatry; the intellectual history of Europe; the history of sex and manners; the history of ideas; the fin de siècle period in Vienna; and the history of medicine.

Barry G. Gale, PhD, taught at Cambridge University as a member of Darwin College and served as professorial lecturer at the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, a division of The Johns Hopkins University.