Robert Anton Wilson was born in 1932 in Brooklyn, New York. As a child, he contracted polio and the effects stayed with him throughout his life, necessitating the use of a cane. He studied engineering and mathematics at New York University and later entered the world of publishing, becoming assistant editor of Playboy Magazine in the late 1960s. Married to writer Arlen Riley Wilson and the father of four children, he founded the Institute for the Study of the Human Future. He made a study of Timothy Leary's SMI2LE philosophy (Space Migration, Intelligence Increase, and Life Extension), and The Eight Circuit Model of Consciousness, frequently traveling to give lectures. In 1979, he received a PhD in psychology from the unaccredited Paidiea University. He reworked his thesis and found it publishable. He wrote extensively: new age music, philosophical papers, science fiction novels and plays. Much of his work was never published.
Wilson's ideas were often considered strange. He was alternately referred to as futurist, author, lecturer, stand-up comedian, magician, quantum psychologist, Taoist sage, politician. He referred to himself as an observer of life.
The Illuminatus Trilogy
Wilson was the author of several books, including the trilogy, soon published in one volume, which he co-authored with Robert Shea. Described as a fairy tale, the story took on mysticism, cynicism, the 60s counter-culture, the occult, history and symbolism. Many of the themes in the books were derived directly from the more esoteric letters received while Wilson worked at Playboy. Conspiracy theory was prime among his musings, and he put forward an analysis of the Kennedy assassination that involved no less than five separate assassins, all working to different agendas.
Wilson revisited the characters and themes from the trilogy in other works, including his Historical Illuminatus Chronicles, in which he follows characters across time and countries, while examining history and the legacy of the Illuminati.
The Cosmic Trigger series
As well as his science fiction, Wilson wrote a number of non-fiction works, where he dissected freemasonry, discordianism, sufism, Zen Buddhism and many other counter-culture philosophies. He also wrote about many associated personalities, including Terence McKenna, Jack Parsons and Aleister Crowey.
Criticism of disciplined lifestyles.
Bob Wilson was outspoken in his criticism of religious dogma. He frequently attacked fundamentalist Christians but also the occult and new age beliefs. Blindly following any philosophy, religion or calling was just as bad. He developed his theory "Maybe Logic", where he questioned everything - politics, accepted 'science', even maps. He claimed that most people's views do not evolve from what they were taught in school, yet knowledge and experience constantly change. He said "I don't believe in anything. Belief is the death of intelligence." (Cosmic Trigger Volume 1).
Over the years, his work has often been seen as inciting youth to various courses of action and protest. Although scathing of party politics, he claimed he had no desire to influence people in this way. Yes, he was pleased his ideas were part of the discussion, but, as with everything, he wanted to provide food for thought.
In a 1991 interview, Wilson was optimistic about the future. It will take imagination and effort, but the evolution of consciousness encourages us all to question normal.
The end
In mid-2006, reports were published that Wilson was receiving hospice care, and just a few months later that he was experiencing severe financial embarrassment. An appeal went up and more money was raised than was needed to meet his needs. He was overwhelmed by the generosity of strangers and followers. He maintained his sense of humor and died peacefully in January 2007, imploring everyone to 'keep the lasagna flying'!
Lynne Thompson - Lynne has many diverse interests, ranging from early childhood and crafts to history and literature. She holds a Masters degree in ...
