The pre-Freudian modernisation of sexuality: Richard von Krafft-Ebing and Albert Moll

Sigmund Freud’s general perspective on sexuality and that articulated in his Three Essays on the Theory of Sexuality in particular should not be considered as a unique and revolutionary breakthrough, but as part of a broader development: the modernization of sexuality. A new understanding of sexuality began to take shape in the last two decades of the nineteenth century, which in turn came about against the background of wider historical developments. The conceptual groundwork was laid by some psychiatrists, in particular Richard von Krafft-Ebing (1840–1902) and Albert Moll (1862–1939). Their pioneering role has largely been forgotten, ignored or belittled, and their work has often been presented in a simplistic way. Therefore, I will stress the continuing historical relevance of their work.