Arthur Kronfeld

Arthur Kronfeld
Prof. Arthur Kronfeld, 1932.
Born(1886-01-09)January 9, 1886
DiedOctober 16, 1941(1941-10-16) (aged 55)
NationalityGerman
Scientific career
FieldsPsychology
InstitutionsUniversity of Berlin

Arthur Kronfeld (January 9, 1886 – October 16, 1941) was a German psychiatrist of Jewish origin, and eventually a professor at the University of Berlin. His sister Maria Dronke found fame as an actor in New Zealand. Later in life, Kronfeld took up an important position in Moscow. On 10 October 1936, an exchange between Kronfeld and fellow exiled German-Jewish psychiatrist, James Lewin, was recorded in the proceedings of a meeting of the Moscow Society of Neuropathology and Psychiatry.[1]

In 1941, he wrote the pamphlet "Degenerates in Power", in which he made psychiatric diagnoses for Hitler and his associates, and also participated in anti-fascist programs on Moscow radio. It is believed Kronfeld and his wife committed suicide at the approach of German troops.[2] However, there is some controversy on exactly how they died.[3]

  1. ^ H. Steinberg , O. Somburg and G.R.B. Boocock "The German - Jewish psychiatrist James Lewin - A twice forgotten victim". Der Nervenarzt 2010
  2. ^ Wittkower, Eric D. (October 1977). "Some Thoughts on Tolerance". Journal of the American Academy of Psychoanalysis. 5 (4): 417–420. doi:10.1521/jaap.1.1977.5.4.417. ISSN 0090-3604. PMID 924827.
  3. ^ "Arthur Kronfeld - The scientist that faced the Nazi's | Kink and queer in Weimar Berlin | Unfold". unfold.bio. Retrieved 2020-05-14.