Lawrence Z. Freedman papers

The collection comprises the papers of forensic psychiatrist and former Yale professor, Lawrence Z. Freedman, and dates from 1938 to 1997. The papers are notable for documenting Freedman’s contributions to the field of forensic psychiatry, as well as his studies of aggression, violence, crime, terrorism, and the interactions between psychiatry and the law. The bulk of the papers document Freedman’s numerous research studies. While the most significant of Freedman’s studies concerned the topics of deviancy, delinquency, criminality, and violence, he also conducted studies on other topics such as sleep and dreams, human sexual behavior, the effects of recreational drugs on communication, creativity, and obstetrics, among others. The most extensively documented study in the papers is the Sexuality, Violence, and Avarice Study (SVA), conducted by the Yale Unit in Psychiatry and the Law under Freedman’s leadership between 1953 and 1957. The study, which used 1262 inmates from the Wethersfield State Prison as research subjects, sought to delineate the characteristics of different types of criminal offenders, gain further understanding of criminal behavior, and develop specific therapeutic treatments for offenders. Materials documenting this study include individual files on the inmates who participated; audio recordings and notes from therapy and interview sessions; project manuals; writings; and subject files. The papers also include significant documentation of Freedman’s research into the psychology of terrorism, assassination, and political violence in the form of research materials and writings.

In addition to his research, the papers document Freedman’s private psychiatric practice, as well as his work as a consultant. Materials documenting Freedman’s psychiatric practice, which include patient files and audio recordings of therapy sessions, demonstrate the degree to which his research and clinical practice intersected and likely influenced each other. In particular, the patient files show that Freedman primarily treated individuals who had histories of violent or criminal behavior. As a consultant, Freedman often worked as an expert witness in criminal trials involving murder or other violent offenses. Materials documenting this work primarily consist of audio recordings and transcripts of forensic interviews conducted by Freedman, as well as notes, copies of medical records, and correspondence. Freedman also consulted on the drafting of the model penal code during the early 1960s. Materials related to this work include drafts of different sections of the code, correspondence, and meeting notes.

Lastly, the papers include a general assortment of Freedman’s writings and correspondence, as well as materials related to conference presentations, lectures he delivered, and classes he taught. The papers provide virtually no insight into Freedman’s personal life, and very little documentation of his life before his psychiatric and academic careers. The general writings, which include student papers dating from his freshman year at Tufts University, provide the only documentation of Freedman’s early life.