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Originalia

Édouard Cornaz (1825 – 1911) and his importance as founder of synesthesia research

Published Online:August 09, 2013https://doi.org/10.1026/0933-6885/a000075

Abstract

From what is known today, Georg Sachs is the first documented synesthete in history (Jewanski, Day, & Ward, 2009). His medical dissertation on albinism including a self-description of his own synesthesia was published in 1812. Yet, when did research on synesthesia start? Who was the first researcher? Why and how did he start? What questions did he consider relevant to ask? What answers could he give without established tests? What articles or books did he write? How influential was his work for the next generation of scientists? Which of his theories are still valid in 2012? Édouard Cornaz (1825 – 1911), the first researcher on synesthesia is almost totally forgotten today. This year, 200 years after Sachs, is the best date to remember and dignify the man who is the precursor of all researchers of this phenomenon.


Éduard Cornaz (1825 – 1911) und seine Bedeutung als Begründer der Synästhesieforschung

Nach heutigem Wissensstand war Georg Sachs der erste dokumentierte Synästhetiker in der Geschichte (Jewanski, Day, & Ward, 2009). Seine medizinische Dissertation über Albinismus mit einer Selbstbeschreibung seiner Synästhesie erschien 1812. Aber wann startete die Erforschung der Synästhesie? Wer war der erste Forscher? Warum und wie startete er? Welche Fragen warf er auf? Welche Antworten konnte er ohne etablierte Testverfahren geben? Welche Artikel oder Bücher schrieb er? Wie einflussreich war seine Werk für die nächste Generation von Wissenschaftlern? Welche seiner Theorien ist noch 2012 gültig? Édouard Cornaz (1825 – 1911), der erste Synästhesieforscher ist heute vollständig vergessen. Das heutige Jahr 2012, exakt 200 Jahre nach der Veröffentlichung von Sachs’ Buch, ist das beste Datum, um an den Mann zu erinnern und seine Arbeit zu würdigen, der der Vorläufer aller Synästhesie-Forscher ist.

Up to 1910 (Lifetime of Cornaz)

Starting in 1911 (Year of Cornaz’s Death)

General Introductions to Synesthesia (From the Introduction)

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