Abbe Faria or Abade Faria is considered as the father of the science of hypnotism. He was born in
Candolim, Bardez County, in 1756. His father, having separated from his wife, went to Portugal with his son and then proceeded to Rome. He continued his own studies for priesthood and earned his doctorate in Theology, and had his son admitted to the College of the Propagation of the Faith to study for his priesthood. His son, Jose was ordained a priest there as he was too young. On becoming a priest, Jose came to be known as Abbe, the French word for priest.
He worked in Paris and took an active role in the French revolution in 1789. Later he developed interest in Mesmerism. According to him hypnotic sleep was brought about by the power of suggestion, depending entirely on the pre-disposition of the person involved, which he later proved by experiments, performed before enlightened audiences. He published his masterly thesis in French, which represented a major advance in medical sciences. He passed away in 1819.
