Ansel Bourne

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Ansel Bourne (1826 – 1910) was an American preacher and one of the most famous cases of dissociative fugue, a rare psychiatric disorder. His case is often cited in the study of psychology and psychiatry.

Early Life

Ansel Bourne was born in 1826 in Coventry, Rhode Island. He worked as a carpenter before becoming a Christian preacher. His early life was relatively uneventful, and he was known to be a devout and pious man.

Dissociative Fugue

On January 17, 1887, Ansel Bourne left his home in Greene, Rhode Island to travel to Providence, Rhode Island. However, instead of returning home, he disappeared and was not heard from for two months. During this period, he adopted a new identity, calling himself A. J. Brown, and opened a small stationery and confectionery shop in Norristown, Pennsylvania.

Bourne had no recollection of his previous life during this time. On March 14, 1887, he suddenly regained his memory of his life as Ansel Bourne and had no recollection of the time spent as A. J. Brown. This case was one of the first documented instances of dissociative fugue, a condition characterized by sudden, unexpected travel away from one's usual surroundings and an inability to recall one's past.

Investigation and Study

Ansel Bourne's case was investigated by the prominent psychologist William James, who documented the case in his writings. James was particularly interested in the phenomenon of multiple personality disorder (now known as dissociative identity disorder) and used Bourne's case to explore the complexities of human consciousness and memory.

Later Life and Legacy

After regaining his memory, Ansel Bourne returned to his life as a preacher. He continued to live in Rhode Island until his death in 1910. His case remains a significant example in the study of dissociative disorders and is frequently referenced in psychological literature.

See Also

• Dissociative identity disorder
• William James
• Psychology
• Psychiatry

Further Reading

• William James's writings on dissociative disorders
• Case studies in psychology