Donald Winnicott

D. W. Winnicott

1896 (Plymouth, England) – 1971 (London)

Winnicott’s ideas in child psychology remain influential. Jones, a cordial friend, gave him a list of analysts for his own personal problems, though he couldn’t choose. Klein supervised part of his training; he analysed her son, but refused to become a disciple. He remained neutral in the struggle between Klein and Freud, undertook a famous dialogue with Freud, and strengthened his personal and professional ties with her. Bowlby and Bion were colleagues, Luria, Graves, Szasz and Lowenfeld correspondents. Despite polar differences, he was friendly with Lacan, whose daughter accidentally broke a bottle of wine at dinner.

Donald Winnicott knew…