Viktor Frankl
Born 1905 · Age 120
Austrian neurologist, psychiatrist, Holocaust survivor and founder of logotherapy; author of Man's Search for Meaning and major influence on existential and humanistic psychology.
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Life & Career Timeline
Birth in Vienna, Austria-Hungary
Born Viktor Emil Frankl in Leopoldstadt, Vienna to Gabriel and Elsa Frankl (a Jewish family).
Began night classes in applied psychology
While in junior high Frankl began taking adult night classes in applied psychology; formative for his lifelong interest in meaning and psychology.
High school graduation and entry to medical school
Graduated high school and began medical studies at the University of Vienna.
First scientific paper published
Published his first scientific paper in the Internationale Zeitschrift für Psychoanalyse.
President of Sozialistische Mittelschüler Österreich (youth movement)
Served as president of the Social Democratic Party of Austria youth movement for high school students.
Joined and later expelled from Adler's circle
Became part of Alfred Adler's circle but was expelled when he insisted meaning was the central motivational force.
Published 'Psychotherapy and Worldview' in Adler's journal
Second academic paper published in Alfred Adler's International Journal of Individual Psychology.
Began refining theory of logotherapy
From this year Frankl started formulating what he later named logotherapy (the 'will to meaning').
Organized youth counselling centers in Vienna (start)
While a medical student he organized free youth counselling centers (1928–1930) to address teen suicides; recruited colleagues including Charlotte Bühler and Rudolf Dreikurs.
Medical degree (M.D.)—University of Vienna
Earned his M.D. from the University of Vienna.
Assignment at Steinhof Psychiatric Hospital
Gained experience treating suicidal women at the Steinhof psychiatric hospital, becoming responsible for their treatment.
Youth counselling program outcome: suicides fall
By 1931 the youth counselling program reported that not a single Viennese student died by suicide (program results attributed to his initiative).
Head of female suicide prevention ward (approx. start)
Recognized leader for suicide prevention work with female patients (commonly dated c.1933–1937 in sources).
Began private practice
Started private practice in neurology/psychiatry (practice limited after 1938 Anschluss due to antisemitic policies).
Published early logotherapy paper (controversial journal)
Contributed a logotherapy paper in 1937 that was published in the Zentrallblatt für Psychotherapie (journal associated with the Göring Institute); later a source of controversy.
Anschluss (Nazi annexation) limits practice
Nazi annexation of Austria (Anschluss) curtailed his ability to treat patients and affected Jewish professionals like Frankl.
Head of neurology—Rothschild Hospital
Joined Rothschild Hospital (the only Vienna hospital still admitting Jews) as head of the neurology department; helped patients avoid Nazi euthanasia programs.
Married Tilly Grosser
Married Tilly Grosser, a station nurse at Rothschild Hospital. She became pregnant but they were forced to abort the child; she later died in Bergen-Belsen.
Deported to Theresienstadt Ghetto
Frankl and his family were deported to the Theresienstadt (Terezin) ghetto in September 1942; he spent time providing counseling and suicide-prevention under extreme conditions.
Father Gabriel Frankl dies in Theresienstadt
His father Gabriel died of starvation and pneumonia in the Theresienstadt Ghetto on 13 February 1943, aged 81.
Transported to Auschwitz (later to Dachau subcamps)
Frankl and surviving relatives were transported to Auschwitz in 1944; his mother and brother were murdered in gas chambers; Frankl was later moved to Dachau subcamp Kaufering III and Türkheim.
Liberation and return to Vienna
Liberated from the concentration camps (Türkheim/Kaufering area) in 1945 and returned to Vienna where he began reconstructing his life and work.
Wrote 'Ein Psychologe erlebt das Konzentrationslager' (Man's Search for Meaning)
Dictated/wrote Man's Search for Meaning (original German title: Ein Psychologe erlebt das Konzentrationslager) in a rapid period; published in German in 1946; based on camp experiences.
Appointed head of Neurology—General Polyclinic Vienna
After the war Frankl became head of the neurology department at the General Polyclinic Vienna hospital and established a private practice; he served until retirement.
Married Eleonore (Elly) Katharina Schwindt
Married Eleonore Schwindt, a practicing Catholic; the couple had a daughter, Gabriele.
PhD in Philosophy—University of Vienna
Awarded a PhD (dissertation: The Unconscious God) examining psychology and religion and advocating Socratic dialogue in therapy.
Published The Doctor and the Soul (English title)
One of his major early books on logotherapy/psychotherapy originally titled Ärztliche Seelsorge (English edition 1955).
Professorship at University of Vienna
Awarded a professorship of neurology and psychiatry at the University of Vienna.
English translation of Man's Search for Meaning published
English translation of Man's Search for Meaning (1959) — this edition became an international bestseller and dramatically raised his profile.
Visiting professor—Harvard University
Served as a visiting professor/lecturer at Harvard University.
Visiting professor—Southern Methodist University (Dallas)
Lectured/served as visiting professor at SMU in Dallas.
Published 'Psychotherapy and Existentialism: Selected Papers'
Collected works on logotherapy and existential analysis published (English 1967).
Retired from active clinical work
Retired from active patient practice in 1970 (continued teaching and lecturing).
Visiting professorship—Duquesne University (Pittsburgh)
Served as visiting professor and lectured in Pittsburgh.
Prize of the Danubia Foundation
Awarded the Prize of the Danubia Foundation (Austria).
Honorary Ring of Vienna
Received the Honorary Ring of the City of Vienna.
Austrian Decoration for Science and Art (membership)
Received the Austrian Decoration for Science and Art and membership in the Curia of the Great Badge of Honour.
Lawrence L. Langer critique published
Holocaust analyst Lawrence L. Langer published criticisms (1982) questioning Frankl's representations of Auschwitz and the moral implications of logotherapy's emphasis on 'meaning'.
Oskar Pfister Award (American Psychiatric Association)
Received the Oskar Pfister Award for contributions at the intersection of religion and psychiatry.
Honorary doctorate—University of Vienna
Awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Vienna.
Great Silver Medal with Star for Services to the Republic of Austria
Awarded the Great Silver Medal with Star by President Kurt Waldheim; the acceptance stirred controversy in the Jewish community due to Waldheim-related revelations.
Reported loss of vision (became blind at age 85)
Became blind at approximately age 85; continued active engagement in writing/teaching in later years.
Man's Search for Meaning named among ten most influential books
1991 Library of Congress/Book of the Month Club survey named Man's Search for Meaning one of the ten most influential books in the U.S.
Viktor Frankl Institute (Vienna) founded
The Viktor Frankl Institute in Vienna was founded (1992) to preserve, promote and research Frankl's legacy and logotherapy.
Multiple honors (1995): Hans Prinzhorn Medal & Honorary Citizen
Received Hans Prinzhorn Medal, named Honorary Citizen of the City of Vienna, and awarded Great Gold Medal with Star for Services to the Republic of Austria (1995).
Lifetime bibliographic milestone: ~39–40 books and wide translations
By the end of his life Frankl had authored about 39–40 books, translated into dozens of languages and lectured globally (over 200 universities during his career).
Published Man's Search for Ultimate Meaning
Released the revised/extended edition Man's Search for Ultimate Meaning (a revised edition of The Unconscious God) shortly before his death.
Death in Vienna
Died of heart failure in Vienna on 2 September 1997; buried in the Jewish section of Vienna Central Cemetery.
Posthumous / collected autobiography 'Recollections' published (English ed.)
Recollections: An Autobiography (English edition 2000) — posthumous publication of his memories and life story.
Timothy Pytell published major critique of Frankl's Auschwitz testimony
Timothy Pytell published 'The Missing Pieces of the Puzzle' and later works (2000s) questioning discrepancies in Frankl's camp account and the origins of logotherapy.
Public memorials: Viktor-Frankl-Hof and Viktor Frankl Trail (legacy)
Public spaces and memorials named after Frankl: Viktor-Frankl-Hof municipal housing and a Viktor Frankl Trail at Vienna University Polyclinic grounds opened (posthumous honors around 2001).
Schools and institutions named after Frankl (posthumous)
Multiple institutions (e.g., Viktor Frankl Hochschule, Viktor-Frankl-Schule) bearing his name were established in Austria and Germany (2007 onward).
Documentary 'Viktor & I' released
Alexander Vesely, Frankl's grandson, produced and directed the documentary 'Viktor & I' (2010) about his grandfather's life and influence.
Statue of Responsibility location approved (Utah)
After decades of advocacy (Frankl suggested the concept in Man's Search for Meaning), a location in Utah was proposed and approved for a Statue of Responsibility honoring Frankl's idea; design approved by his widow.
Unveiling of a 15-foot 'Statue of Responsibility' at Alliant International University
A 15-foot statue honoring Viktor Frankl titled 'Statue of Responsibility' was unveiled on 6 June 2025 (legacy celebration of Frankl's idea of responsibility).
Key Achievement Ages
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