Ernst Wilhelm von Brücke (July 6, 1819 – January 7, 1892) was a German physician and physiologist, known for his contributions to physiology, anatomy, and psychology. Born in Berlin, he studied medicine at the University of Berlin and later became a professor of physiology at the University of Vienna. Brücke was a leading figure in physiological positivism, advocating for the use of physical and chemical methods to study life processes, opposing vitalism. His research covered neurophysiology, visual physiology, and cell theory, influencing later developments in psychology and neuroscience. He mentored several notable students, including Sigmund Freud, who worked in his laboratory and was inspired by his scientific approach. Brücke's work laid the foundation for modern physiology, and his textbook 'Lectures on Physiology' was widely used in medical education.