Jacob L. Moreno

Dr. Jacob (Jakob) Levy Moreno (18 May 1889 - 14 May 1974) was a leading psychiatrist, theorist and educator. He is the founder of Psychodrama, Sociometry and one of the pioneers of Group Psychotherapy.

Moreno was born 1889 in Bucharest, [Romania and grew up in Vienna. He studied medicine, mathematics, and philosophy at the University of Vienna, becoming an M.D. in 1917. He had rejected Freudian theory while still a medical student, and became interested in the potential of group settings for therapeutic practice. He continued his experimental work in psychodrama, sociometry, and group psychotherapy after moving to the U.S. in 1925, working in New York City, generally with children. He held positions at Columbia University and the New School for Social Research.

He was a student of Carl Jung's. His wife Zerka Moreno continues his work today. His students include the Swede Leif-Dag Blomkvist.