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Auguste-Henri Forel (September 1st, 1848 - July 27th, 1931) was a Swiss myrmecologist, neuroanatomist and psychiatrist, notable for his investigations into the brain structure of humans and
ants. Born in LaGracieuse, near
Morges, Switzerland, he was a good
friend of the eminent British entomologist Horace Donisthorpe, although
his ardent socialist views frequently caused political arguments between the two.
His myrmecological 5-volume magnum opus, Le Monde Social des Forimis published in 1923, Donisthorpe heavily criticises in the foreward to the 1927 edition of
British Ants: their life histories and classification, saying of the
work:
"This, although in many ways a fine work, is somewhat disappointing in that it is not up to date, and that the opportunity
has been made for airing the author's socialistic views. I should wish in particular to protest against the ants being employed
as a supposed weapon in political controversy. In my opinion an entomological work is not the appropriate means for the
introduction of political theories of any kind, still less for their glaring advertisement."
In the field of his psychiatric work he was also are great import, being a significant influence of Sigmund Freud.
He died in Yvorne in 1931.
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