Lives and deaths: Biographical notes on selections from the works of Edwin S. Shneidman

Edwin S. Shneidman (DOB: 1918-05-13; DOD: 2009-05-15) is a father of contemporary suicidology. His work reflects the intensive study of lives lived and deaths, especially suicides, and is the mirror to his mind. His contributions can be represented by five categories: psychological assessment, logic, Melville and Murray, suicide, and death. His works on suicide can be further divided into five parts: definitional and theoretical, suicide notes, administrative and programmatic, clinical and community, and psychological autopsy and postvention. In this article, not only are the selected works explicated, but also Dr. Shneidman's rather personal biographical notes are shared to allow the reader to understand one more unique individual's life lived, and his death: Edwin S. Shneidman.