Harry Benjamin

Biography

Dr. Harry Benjamin was a German-American physician who became one of the most important early figures in the medical understanding of transgender people. Though he began his career in gerontology, his work with a young patient who wanted to transition led him to dedicate much of his life to studying what he termed "transsexualism."

In 1966, he published his landmark book, The Transsexual Phenomenon, which provided a comprehensive and sympathetic overview of the topic. It was the first major scientific work of its kind and proposed a model for diagnosis and treatment that became the foundation for modern transgender healthcare. He argued that for many, transitioning was a medical necessity.

His compassionate approach stood in stark contrast to the prevailing psychiatric view, which treated gender variance as a mental illness to be cured. The professional organization for transgender health, WPATH, was originally named in his honor, cementing his legacy as a foundational figure in the field.