| British Psychoanalytical Society

The Cambridge evacuation survey: a wartime study in social welfare and education is published, edited by Susan Isaacs.

31 December, 1940

Read more about The Cambridge evacuation survey: a wartime study in social welfare and education is published, edited by Susan Isaacs.

Anna Freud and Dorothy Burlingham open the Children's Rest Centre in London

2 May, 1941

Anna Freud and Dorothy Burlingham open the Children's Rest Centre in London, later to become known as the Hampstead War Nurseries. These are foster care centres for single-parent children, evacuated children (during the Blitz), or children with no other family.

Image: Report of the Nursery 1942 from Ilse Hellman. Scanned title and intro.

Residential War Nursery Report

Read more about Anna Freud and Dorothy Burlingham open the Children's Rest Centre in London

Wilfred Bion and John Rickman devise what later becomes known as the ‘First Northfield Experiment’

1 February, 1942

1942-3

While serving as army psychiatrists at Hollymoor Hospital, Wilfred Bion and John Rickman devise what later becomes known as the ‘First Northfield Experiment’. Their attempt to create a 'leaderless' group therapy with soldier patients inspires an entire generation of post-war group therapists, especially among the Tavistock Clinic circles.

Image: Hollymoor Hospital

Read more about Wilfred Bion and John Rickman devise what later becomes known as the ‘First Northfield Experiment’

Beginning of the 'Controversial Discussions'

1 May, 1943

1942-4:

The ‘Controversial Discussions’ take place. Due to deepening differences between Melanie Klein and her opponents in the British Society – most significantly Anna Freud – a series of scientific meetings is arranged. Klein and a few of her closest colleagues circulate four papers embodying Kleinian theory. After each paper participants submit written comments, which are then discussed by the members. These eleven meetings come to be known as the ‘Controversial Discussions’.

A third group of 'independent' psychoanalysts – including figures such as Donald Winnicott, Michael Balint and Marion Milner – will emerge in the decade following the 'Discussions'.

Image: Announcement of 'The Discussions'

Announcement of the 'Controversial Discussions'

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Sylvia M. Payne replaces Ernest Jones as President of the British Psychoanalytic Society. Michael Balint leaves Manchester and moves to London.

31 December, 1943

Read more about Sylvia M. Payne replaces Ernest Jones as President of the British Psychoanalytic Society. Michael Balint leaves Manchester and moves to London.

Edward Glover resigns from the British Psycho-Analytical Society

edward glover resigns from the british PA society

2 March, 1944

Edward Glover resigns from the British Psycho-Analytical Society due to his strong disagreements with the Kleinians, which he sees as irresolvable.

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John Rickman and Roger Money-Kyrle go to Berlin with the German Personnel Research Branch

5 July, 1946

John Rickman and Roger Money-Kyrle go to Berlin with the German Personnel Research Branch. Their mission is 'to find out whether among the leading members of the German Psycho-Analytic Society there were any who might be suitable as assistants to the personnel of G.P.R.B. (German Personnel Research Branch of the Control Committee).'

Image: Beginning of Rickman's report

Rickman's report