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Viktor Frankl

Viktor Frankl (1905–1997) was an Austrian psychiatrist, neurologist, and psychotherapist best known as the founder of logotherapy, a meaning-centred approach to psychotherapy.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Viktor Frankl (1905–1997) was an Austrian psychiatrist, neurologist, and psychotherapist best known as the founder of logotherapy, a meaning-centred approach to psychotherapy. He is also widely known as a Holocaust survivor and the author of *Man's Search for Meaning*.

Early life and education

Frankl was born in Vienna in 1905 and later earned medical and doctoral degrees at the University of Vienna. He went on to build a career in neurology, psychiatry, and psychotherapy.

Logotherapy

Frankl founded logotherapy, a therapeutic approach centred on the human need to find meaning. It is often grouped with existential and humanistic psychology and described as the Third Viennese School of Psychotherapy.

World War II and concentration camps

Frankl survived Nazi concentration camps during World War II. These experiences strongly influenced his later writing and his account of how meaning and purpose can help people endure suffering.

Books and influence

Frankl wrote numerous books, with *Man's Search for Meaning* becoming his best-known work. His ideas influenced psychotherapy, existential therapy, and broader popular discussions of resilience and purpose.

Key facts

  • Frankl developed logotherapy, often described as the “third school” of Viennese psychotherapy after Freud and Adler.
  • His theory argues that the primary human motivation is the search for meaning in life.
  • He was a Holocaust survivor and based *Man's Search for Meaning* on his concentration-camp experiences.
  • Frankl was professor of neurology and psychiatry at the University of Vienna Medical School.
  • He also held visiting or professorial appointments at universities in the United States, including Harvard and Stanford.
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Canadian context

Frankl’s ideas are widely studied in psychology, counselling, and palliative-care contexts in Canada, particularly for discussions of meaning, resilience, grief, and trauma.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Viktor Frankl?
He was an Austrian psychiatrist, neurologist, and psychotherapist who founded logotherapy.
What is logotherapy?
Logotherapy is Frankl’s meaning-centred approach to psychotherapy, based on the idea that humans are primarily motivated by a search for meaning.
Why is Viktor Frankl famous?
He is best known for founding logotherapy and for *Man's Search for Meaning*, which draws on his Holocaust experiences.
Was Viktor Frankl a Holocaust survivor?
Yes. Multiple sources identify him as a Holocaust survivor and describe his imprisonment in Nazi concentration camps.
What was Frankl’s main idea about human motivation?
Frankl argued that finding meaning in life is a central human drive and a key goal of psychotherapy.
Where did Viktor Frankl work?
He taught at the University of Vienna and also held visiting or professorial roles at universities in the United States.

References

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Viktor-Frankl
    Supports: Birth, death, occupation, logotherapy, and core theory of meaning-centered psychotherapy.
  2. Viktor Frankl Institute — https://www.viktorfrankl.org/lifeandwork.html
    Supports: Academic posts, development of logotherapy, and book publication claims.
  3. Viktor Frankl Institute — https://www.viktorfrankl.org/standard_vitae.html
    Supports: Career details, university appointments, books, awards, and concentration camp history.
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viktor_Frankl
    Supports: General biographical details, Holocaust survival, and *Man's Search for Meaning*.
  5. PubMed Central — https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8763215/
    Supports: Academic description of Frankl as founder of logotherapy and Third Viennese School.