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The Phaeton complex is a psychological condition described by Maryse Choisy as a "painful combination of thoughts and emotions caused by the absence, loss, coldness, or traumatizing behavior of one or both parents, resulting in frustration and aggression".^[1]

The theory was devised by Lucille Iremonger, who in 1970 studied the 24 British prime ministers who held office from 1809 to 1940, and found that 62% of these men had lost one or both parents by age 15, compared to a national average of 10-15% in those times.^[2] Hugh Berrington expanded on the theory in 1974, finding sufferers of the Phaeton complex to be less sociable, flexible or tolerant, instead being ambitious, vain, sensitive, lonely and shy.^[3] Micha Popper, though, disputes that an unhappy childhood always leads to obsessive urges, citing Winston Churchill as an example where childhood unhappiness had positive results.^[4]

The name derives from the Greek myth of Phaeton, a child of the sun god, who demands to drive his father's chariot and in doing so, falls to earth and scorches the Sahara Desert.^[5]

Neville Chamberlain, UK prime minister 1937–40, having lost his mother by age six, is said to have displayed 'all the characteristics of the damaged Phaeton - immature, sensitive, cold, secretive and depressed' when in office, according to Harry Davis.^[6]

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto is described by Shamim Ahmad as a neglected child, 'having a sense of insecurity that drove him to prove himself worthy'.^[7]

In a discussion of the Phaeton complex, Tom McTague lists Boris Johnson, Theresa May, Bill Clinton and Tony Blair as examples of ambitious, isolated, detached politicians who suffered a 'deprivation of love' in childhood.^[8]

• Complex (psychology)
• Ideocracy
• Napoleon complex