Back to Basics: Ernst Burchard's Lexikon Des Gesamten Sexuallebens (Encyclopedia of the Entire Sexual Life).

OBJECTIVES: Ernst Burchard (1876-1920) worked as a neurologist and sexologist in early 20th century Berlin. He was a respected sexologist and court expert who researched extensively on transvestitism and homosexuality. Due to his early death, however, he soon fell into oblivion. Only recently has his scientific work been reviewed and, among other things, his Lexikon des gesamten Sexuallebens (Encyclopedia of the Entire Sexual Life) has been identified. The encyclopedia appeared in 1914 and thus comparatively early in a phase in which sexual science was beginning to establish itself as a German-dominated science. This study examines the originality of this work.

METHODS: The study analyses Burchard's work and by comparing it with other standard works of the sexual sciences that also appeared in this era, the monograph can be historically classified.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Burchard's book appears to be the first sexological encyclopedia ever. It was published much earlier than other works, which had previously been recognized as pioneering achievements in sexual science research.and made an important contribution to the sexual education of the general population.