Walter Jackson Freeman II

Walter Jackson Freeman II (November 14, 1895 – May 31, 1972) was an American neurologist and psychiatrist who is best known for popularizing the lobotomy in the United States. He was a controversial figure in the history of psychiatry due to his advocacy of the procedure, which he believed could treat a variety of mental illnesses.

Early Life and Education

Freeman was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, into a family with a strong medical background. He attended Yale University, where he earned his undergraduate degree, and later received his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

Career

Freeman began his career as a neurologist at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., where he also served as a professor. He became interested in the treatment of mental illness and was influenced by the work of Egas Moniz, a Portuguese neurologist who developed the prefrontal leucotomy.

Development of the Lobotomy

Freeman, along with his colleague James W. Watts, performed the first prefrontal lobotomy in the United States in 1936. He later developed the "transorbital lobotomy," a procedure that involved inserting an ice pick-like instrument through the patient's eye socket to sever connections in the brain's prefrontal cortex. This method was less invasive and could be performed outside of a hospital setting, which contributed to its widespread use.

File:Walter Freeman performing a lobotomy.jpg

Walter Freeman performing a lobotomy

Controversy and Legacy

Freeman's methods were highly controversial. While he claimed that lobotomies could alleviate symptoms of mental illness, the procedure often resulted in severe side effects, including personality changes, cognitive impairment, and in some cases, death. Despite this, Freeman continued to advocate for lobotomies, performing thousands of procedures throughout his career.

Freeman's work has been criticized for its ethical implications and lack of scientific rigor. The advent of antipsychotic medications in the 1950s led to a decline in the use of lobotomies, and Freeman's reputation suffered as a result.

Death

Walter Freeman died of cancer in 1972 in San Francisco, California. His legacy remains controversial, with some viewing him as a pioneer in the treatment of mental illness and others as a cautionary tale of medical hubris.

Also see

• Lobotomy
• Egas Moniz
• History of psychiatry
• Psychosurgery