The Leipzig interlude: a significant phase in Sigmund Freud's early life

The unusual circumstances surrounding the brief episode in Leipzig of Sigmund Freud and his family illuminate the nature of child development, particularly with respect to parental relationships. The emotional impact on the child Sigismund (later Sigmund) of his early life experiences seems to illustrate the reactions of all children to their loss of security in infancy and childhood and their lasting effects into adulthood. An effort has been made to explore the motivations, on the part of the older generation, in their responses to this change in locale. Special note has been made of the role of Jacob Freud in his son's life. He has been subjected to misunderstanding and denigration by many of Freud's biographers. They accepted Freud's pronouncements respecting his father without evaluating their possible bias and distortion or appreciating the significant contribution of Jacob's character to his son's development.