JOAN RIVERE (1883-1962)

              Joan Rivere, noted for her literary and linguistic talents, was a founding member of the British Psychoanalytical Society (1919).  She had personal analysis with Ernst Jones in 1916 and had further analysis with Sigmund Freud in 1922.  She was translation editor of the International Journal of Psychoanalysis from the 1920 beginning of the Journal until 1937.  She translated important papers of Sigmund Freud and other analysts into English, facilitating early international psychoanalytic communication.  A gifted analyst, supervisor, and author, she has a significant place in the history of psychoanalysis.

              Joan Rivere gradually became identified with and a proponent of the work of Melanie Klein. Her independent thought is evident in her original papers, such as “Jealousy as a Mechanism, of Defense (1932)”, gamed and “Contribution to the Analysis of the Negative Therapeutic Reaction” (1936).  She participated in the scientific activities of the British Society, enriching clinical and theoretical discussion and debate.

Harold P. Blum, M.D.

Executive Director, Sigmund Freud Archives