Rollo May

Rollo May (1909–1994) was an American existential psychologist and author who helped introduce existential thought into U.S. psychology. He studied theology before turning to psychology, and his work explored how anxiety, freedom, and responsibility shape human life. May argued that anxiety can be a constructive signal of growth rather than merely a symptom to eliminate, and he emphasized the importance of courage and authentic choice. He is best known for influential books including *The Meaning of Anxiety* (1950) and *Love and Will* (1969), which examined the tensions between desire, commitment, and personal agency in modern culture.