Erich Seligmann Fromm (March 23, 1900 – March 18, 1980) was a groundbreaking figure in the fields of psychology and philosophy. A German-American social psychologist, psychoanalyst, sociologist, humanistic philosopher, and democratic socialist, Fromm's work was intricately linked to his identity as a German Jew who sought refuge from the Nazi regime by settling in the United States. He was instrumental in the founding of The William Alanson White Institute of Psychiatry, Psychoanalysis, and Psychology in New York City, and was closely associated with the Frankfurt School of critical theory.

Fromm's academic pursuits led him to explore the complex interplay between psychology and society, holding various professorships in psychology in the U.S. and Mexico during the mid-20th century. His theoretical contributions are noted for their unique synthesis of Freud and Marx, engaging deeply with concepts such as the unconscious, biological drives, repression, as well as societal and cultural impacts on the human psyche. Fromm was also a key figure in rejuvenating psychoanalytic theory and practice in the mid-20th century, and his work remains influential in the study of human behavior and society.