Robert Anton Wilson

Robert Anton Wilson, 1977

American author, futurist, and self-described agnostic mystic (1932–2007)

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Native name
Born	Robert Edward Wilson (1932-01-18)January 18, 1932 Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S.
Died	January 11, 2007(2007-01-11) (aged 74) Capitola, California, U.S.
Resting place
Pen name
Nickname
Occupation	Author, essayist, futurist
Language
Nationality	American

Robert Anton Wilson (born Robert Edward Wilson; January 18, 1932 – January 11, 2007) was an American author, futurist, and self-described agnostic mystic. He is best known for his work on the The Illuminatus! Trilogy (co-authored with Robert Shea), which is a science fiction series that combines conspiracy theories, philosophy, and satire.

Early Life

Wilson was born in Brooklyn, New York City, and grew up in Gerritsen Beach. He attended Brooklyn Technical High School and later studied engineering and mathematics at Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute (now part of New York University). He also attended New York University where he studied English literature.

Career

Wilson began his career as an editor for Playboy magazine, where he met his future collaborator, Robert Shea. Together, they wrote The Illuminatus! Trilogy, which was published in 1975. The trilogy became a cult classic and is considered a seminal work in the genre of conspiracy fiction.

In addition to The Illuminatus! Trilogy, Wilson wrote numerous other books, including Cosmic Trigger, Schrödinger's Cat Trilogy, and Prometheus Rising. His works often explore themes of consciousness, quantum mechanics, and linguistics.

Philosophy and Beliefs

Wilson described himself as an "agnostic mystic" and was known for his Discordian beliefs. He was a proponent of model agnosticism, which suggests that all models of reality are provisional and subject to change. He was also influenced by the works of Alfred Korzybski, the founder of General Semantics, and Timothy Leary, a psychologist known for his advocacy of psychedelic drugs.

Personal Life

Wilson married Arlen Riley in 1958, and they had four children together. Arlen passed away in 1999. Wilson himself passed away on January 11, 2007, in Capitola, California, after a long battle with post-polio syndrome.

Legacy

Wilson's work has had a lasting impact on the fields of science fiction, philosophy, and conspiracy theory. His books continue to be read and discussed by fans and scholars alike. He is remembered for his unique blend of humor, intellectualism, and spirituality.

Related Pages

• The Illuminatus! Trilogy
• Cosmic Trigger
• Discordianism
• Robert Shea
• Timothy Leary
• Alfred Korzybski
• General Semantics
• Conspiracy theory