Auguste Forel

Auguste Forel

Auguste Forel (1 September 1848 – 27 July 1931) was a Swiss myrmecologist, neuroanatomist, psychiatrist and eugenicist, notable for his investigations into the structure of the human brain and that of ants. For example, he is considered a co-founder of the neuron theory. Forel is also known for his early contributions to sexology and psychology. From 1879 to 1892 he was the director of the Burghölzli Asylum near Zurich.

Early life and education

Auguste Forel was born on 1 September 1848 in the municipality of Morges in the canton of Vaud, Switzerland. He was the youngest of five children. His father, Auguste Forel, was a lawyer and his mother, Adèle Forel, was the daughter of a surgeon.

Forel completed his early education in Lausanne, after which he went to study medicine at the University of Zurich. He completed his medical degree in 1872.

Career

After completing his medical degree, Forel worked as an assistant to Theodor Meynert in Vienna. In 1879, he became the director of the Burghölzli Asylum, where he worked until his retirement in 1892.

Forel's work at the Burghölzli Asylum was marked by his efforts to improve the conditions for patients and his research into the structure of the brain. He was one of the first to use hypnosis in the treatment of mental illness.

In addition to his work in psychiatry, Forel was also a noted myrmecologist. He published several works on ants, including "The Social World of the Ants", which is still considered a classic in the field of myrmecology.

Personal life and death

Forel was married to Emma Steinheil and had three children. He died on 27 July 1931 in Yvorne, Switzerland.

Legacy

Forel's work has had a lasting impact on a number of fields, including psychiatry, neuroanatomy, and myrmecology. The Forel Institute in Belgium is named in his honor.

See also

• List of myrmecologists
• History of neurology

External links

• Example Website

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