A sexologist is an academic professional who studies human sexuality and sexual health. The field of sexology is scientific. Thus, a sexologist's approach is scientific and excludes social discourses about sex. Famous sexologists include Sigmund Freud and Alfred Kinsey. Sexologists have led the way in understanding sexuality, and freeing social attitudes toward homosexuality. They have also helped map out sexually transmitted diseases and find their treatment or cure.
Writings about sex have existed for a long time. Works, like the Kama Sutra, Ars Amatoria by Ovid and the Ananga Ranga, attest to man's long-standing interest in sex. However, sexology and the sexologist were only recognized in 1886, through the work of Richard Freiherr von Krafft-Ebing. He published the Psychopathia Sexualis, which made sexology a scientific field. This brought forth the likes of Freud and Kinsey. Before them, it was sexologist Havelock Ellis who led the way. Ellis was considered as the father of sexology.
