Julius Spier

Julius Spier (1887-1942) was a German psychoanalyst and influential figure in the life of Etty Hillesum, with whom he had a personal and professional relationship. He is notable for encouraging Hillesum to write her diary, which later became a testament to her thoughts and feelings during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. Spier's work and legacy are intertwined with Hillesum's, as he played a significant role in her intellectual and emotional development. Tragically, he died in a concentration camp, similar to Hillesum, who was also murdered during the Holocaust.