["It would also be cowardly to leave the field here to the enemies of Psychoanalysis." The correspondence between Richard and Edith Sterba and Anna Freud 1946–1962]

Abstract

This artic­le describes the fate of the Viennese psychoanalysts Richard and Edith Sterba after their emigration to the United States. The author examines the correspondence between the Sterbas and Anna Freud which is to be found amongst the Anna Freud papers in the Lib­rary of Congress in Washington. The letters illustrate Richard Sterbas ardent admiration for both Sigmund and Anna Freud. The Sterbas tried to persuade Anna Freud to move to the United States permanently. The correspondence also gives insights into very per­sonal views of both the Sterbas and Anna Freud about colleagues and historical events. The paper in addition depicts the events which eventually led to the dissolution of the Detroit Psychoanalytic Society and demonstrates how the Sterbas thereby lost important professional positions. When psychoanalytic training was resumed in Detroit the Sterbas were ignored both as teachers and as training analysts.