Leopold von Sacher-Masoch

Leopold von Sacher-Masoch was a famous 19th century Austrian author, best known for his novel "Venus in Furs". In the novel, the character Severin wants to be a slave to a woman named Wanda, and becomes willing to suffer physical and emotional pain in order to do so. This act is now known as 'masochism'. Masochism is when someone enjoys being controlled, humiliated, or hurt in a sexual situation. Sacher-Masoch's novel 'Venus in Furs' popularized this idea and made it mainstream.