Anna Freud

Born in Vienna, Anna Freud’s early life was, shall we say, analytically rich. Growing up in the shadow of the man who invented talking about your mother, she initially pursued teaching before finding her true calling: interpreting the unconscious minds of very small people. Talk about a tough crowd.

Despite (or perhaps because of) her lineage, Anna developed a distinct school of thought, focusing on the ego and defense mechanisms in children. She basically said, "Adults are complex, but kids? Kids are really complex." It was a bold move, proving that even if your dad is the Freud, you can still come up with original material.

Her work on developmental lines and therapeutic techniques for children cemented her as a titan in her field, ensuring that parents everywhere would forever ponder what their toddlers' finger painting really meant. She also played a critical role in preserving her father's legacy, proving that even brilliant analysts aren't immune to a little family devotion.