Franz Friedrich Anton Mesmer was a German physician with an interest in astronomy. source
Franz Friedrich Anton Mesmer was a German physician with an interest in astronomy.
Franz Mesmer theorised that there was a natural energetic transference that occurred between all animated and inanimate objects that he called animal magnetism, sometimes later referred to as mesmerism. source
Franz Mesmer theorised that there was a natural energetic transference that occurred between all animated and inanimate objects that he called animal magnetism, sometimes later referred to as mesmerism.
The theory attracted a wide following between about 1780 and 1850, and Franz Mesmer continued to have some influence until the end of the century. source
The theory attracted a wide following between about 1780 and 1850, and Franz Mesmer continued to have some influence until the end of the century.
Franz Mesmer was born in the village of Iznang, on the shore of Lake Constance in Swabia, Germany, a son of master forester Anton Mesmer and his wife, Maria/Ursula. source
Franz Mesmer was born in the village of Iznang, on the shore of Lake Constance in Swabia, Germany, a son of master forester Anton Mesmer and his wife, Maria/Ursula.
After studying at the Jesuit universities of Dillingen and Ingolstadt, Franz Mesmer took up the study of medicine at the University of Vienna in 1759. source
After studying at the Jesuit universities of Dillingen and Ingolstadt, Franz Mesmer took up the study of medicine at the University of Vienna in 1759.
In 1766 Franz Mesmer published a doctoral dissertation with the Latin title "De planetarum influxu in corpus humanum", which discussed the influence of the Moon and the planets on the human body and on disease. source
In 1766 Franz Mesmer published a doctoral dissertation with the Latin title "De planetarum influxu in corpus humanum", which discussed the influence of the Moon and the planets on the human body and on disease.
Building largely on Newton's theory of the tides, Franz Mesmer expounded on certain tides in the human body that might be accounted for by the movements of the sun and moon. source
Building largely on Newton's theory of the tides, Franz Mesmer expounded on certain tides in the human body that might be accounted for by the movements of the sun and moon.
In January 1768, Franz Mesmer married Anna Maria von Posch, a wealthy widow, and established himself as a physician in the Austrian capital Vienna. source
In January 1768, Franz Mesmer married Anna Maria von Posch, a wealthy widow, and established himself as a physician in the Austrian capital Vienna.
In the summers Franz Mesmer lived on a splendid estate and became a patron of the arts. source
In the summers Franz Mesmer lived on a splendid estate and became a patron of the arts.
In 1774, Franz Mesmer produced an "artificial tide" in a patient, Francisca Osterlin, who suffered from hysteria, by having her swallow a preparation containing iron and then attaching magnets to various parts of her body. source
In 1774, Franz Mesmer produced an "artificial tide" in a patient, Francisca Osterlin, who suffered from hysteria, by having her swallow a preparation containing iron and then attaching magnets to various parts of her body.
In 1775, Franz Mesmer was invited to give his opinion before the Munich Academy of Sciences on the exorcisms carried out by Johann Joseph Gassner (Gaßner), a priest and healer who grew up in Vorarlberg, Austria. source
In 1775, Franz Mesmer was invited to give his opinion before the Munich Academy of Sciences on the exorcisms carried out by Johann Joseph Gassner (Gaßner), a priest and healer who grew up in Vorarlberg, Austria.
In February 1778 Franz Mesmer moved to Paris, rented an apartment in a part of the city preferred by the wealthy and powerful, and established a medical practice. source
In February 1778 Franz Mesmer moved to Paris, rented an apartment in a part of the city preferred by the wealthy and powerful, and established a medical practice.
In 1779, with d'Eslon's encouragement, Franz Mesmer wrote an 88-page book, Mémoire sur la découverte du magnétisme animal, to which he appended his famous 27 Propositions. source
In 1779, with d'Eslon's encouragement, Franz Mesmer wrote an 88-page book, Mémoire sur la découverte du magnétisme animal, to which he appended his famous 27 Propositions.
In August 1784 Franz Mesmer visited a Mesmeric society in Lyon. In 1785 Mesmer left Paris. source
In August 1784 Franz Mesmer visited a Mesmeric society in Lyon. In 1785 Mesmer left Paris.
In 1790 Franz Mesmer was in Vienna again to settle the estate of his deceased wife Maria Anna. When he sold his house in Vienna in 1801 he was in Paris. source
In 1790 Franz Mesmer was in Vienna again to settle the estate of his deceased wife Maria Anna. When he sold his house in Vienna in 1801 he was in Paris.
Franz Mesmer continued to practice in Frauenfeld, Switzerland for a number of years and died in 1815 in Meersburg, Germany. source
Franz Mesmer continued to practice in Frauenfeld, Switzerland for a number of years and died in 1815 in Meersburg, Germany.