Philippe Pinel was born on April 20, 1745, in the small town of Saint André. His father was both a barber and a surgeon, a common combination in those days, as both vocations required a steady hand with the razor. His mother was also from a long line of physicians.

Philippe began his studies more interested in literature -- especially Jean-Jacques Rousseau -- than in medicine. But, after a few years studying theology, he began the study of medicine, and he recieved his MD from the University at Toulouse in 1773.

Pinel moved to Montpellier in 1774 where he tutored wealthy students in anatomy and mathematics. He was admited into the Montpellier Société Royale des Sciences after presenting two papers on the use of mathematics in anatomical studies. He moved to Paris in 1778, where he came into contact with a number of the renowned scientists and philosophers of the day (including Ben Franklin), as well as becoming familiar with the radical new ideas of John Locke and the French sensationalists. Although he could not practice in Paris, he became a well respected medical writer, particularly known for his careful and exhaustive case studies.

A turning point in Pinel's life came in 1785, when a friend of his developed a mental illness ending in his death.  He became devoted to the study of mental illness, and became the head of the Paris asylum for insane men at Bicêtre in 1792.  In that year, he also married Jeanne Vincent, with whom he had three sons.

It was at Bicêtre that he made his place in history:  Prior to his coming to Bicêtre, the men were kept in chains, treated abominably, and put on daily display to the public as curiosities.  In 1793, Pinel instituted a new program of human care, which he referred to as moral therapy.  The men were given clean, comfortable accommodations, and were instructed in simple but productive work.

In 1795, he was appointed the head physician at the world famous hospital at Salpêtrière.  Here, too, he provided his enlightened treatment conditions to the mentally ill.  In that same year, he was made professor of medical pathology at Paris.  In 1801, Phillipe Pinel introduced the first textbook on moral therapy to the world.

Pinel is also remembered for dismissing the demonic possession theory of mental illness for once and for all, and for eliminating treatments such as bleeding from his hospital.  He also introduced other novelties to his hospital, such as vaccinations and the use of the stethoscope.  He was a physician to Napoleon and was made a knight of the Legion d'Honneur in 1804.  He died in Paris on October 25, 1826.

Pinel's innovations were soon imitated in other countries, by such notables as William Tuke in England, Vincenzo Chiarugi in Florence, and Dorothea Dix in the U.S.