Franz Mesmer

Franz Mesmer
Print of Franz Anton Mesmer (Musée de la Révolution française)
Born	Franz Anton Mesmer 23 May 1734 (1734-05-23) Iznang, Bishopric of Constance
Died	5 March 1815(1815-03-05) (aged 80) Meersburg, Baden
Alma mater	University of Vienna
Known for	Animal magnetism

Franz Anton Mesmer (/ˈmɛzmər/ MEZ-mər;^[1] German: [ˈmɛsmɐ]; 23 May 1734 – 5 March 1815) was a German physician with an interest in astronomy. He theorized the existence of a process of natural energy transference occurring between all animate and inanimate objects; this he called "animal magnetism", later referred to as mesmerism. Mesmer's theory attracted a wide following between about 1780 and 1850, and continued to have some influence until the end of the 19th century.^[2] In 1843, the Scottish doctor James Braid proposed the term "hypnotism" for a technique derived from animal magnetism; today the word "mesmerism" generally functions as a synonym of "hypnosis". Mesmer also supported the arts, specifically music; he was on friendly terms with Haydn and Mozart.