Father of Suicidology Dies
Edwin S. Shneidman has died. I knew Ed, and he was a kind enough gentleman to praise my "copycat effect" work in print. He also understood the "twilight language," being a scholar of Herman Melville . See, for example, Henry A. Murray, "Dead to the World: The Passions of Herman Melville," in Essays in Self -Destruction , ed. Edwin S. Shneidman (New York: Science House, 1967). Schneidman truly was one of those rare father-figures in the field of suicide prevention. His kind demeanor touched many who were lucky enough to have worked with him. He always passed along encouraging thoughts about my research in his letters. What a good soul he had. I can't say much more about him, as I am in a bit of shock to hear this expected but still sad news. Mark Goulston has written a good remembrance at Huffington Post . Also, allow me to pass along this rather complete obit: "Edwin S. Shneidman dies at 91; pioneer in the field of suicide prevention" By...