This project began as a scholarly conference on the history of medicine and psychological trauma at the University of Manchester, England, on March 29–30, 1996. At the University's Centre for the History of Science, Technology, and Medicine, John Pickstone provided material and intellectual resources for the event while Joan Mottram helped with the organization. The British Academy, The Wellcome Trust, and The Wellcome Unit for the History of Medicine at Manchester gave indispensable financial assistance. We also wish to thank everyone who attended the conference for making it such a successful and memorable occasion. Our thanks, in particular, to Roy Porter for lending his support.

During this project's long passage into print, Charles Rosenberg provided important scholarly guidance and professional encouragement. Gerald Grob gave the project a valuable, preliminary endorsement, and Jay Winter supported it with contagious enthusiasm. Roger Cooter, John Pickstone, Roy Porter, and Charles Rosenberg offered valuable critical readings of the introductory chapter, and Lisa Cardyn shared with us her thorough knowledge of the burgeoning bibliography on psychological trauma. The British Academy and the Department of History at the University of Manchester provided timely subventions for an ambitious publication.

Frequent exchanges with colleagues and friends – particularly Peter Barham, Eric Caplan, Hans Pols, and Wolfgang Schäffner – continually inspired and challenged our thinking about trauma.