A method is illustrated for studying the lives of suicidal individuals using the theories of Adler, Binswanger, Freud, Jung, Kelly, Menninger, Murray, Shneidman, Sullivan, Zilboorg, Beck, Lester, Henry & Short, Leenaars & Maris. 150 statements are rated as present or absent in the lives of 30 famous suicides for whom a biography is available. Beck’s theory was found to be most applicable & that of Freud least applicable. A factor analysis identified 5 clusters of theories. (38 refs.)