Timothy Leary

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Timothy Leary (1969 press photo)

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Timothy Leary (October 22, 1920 – May 31, 1996) was an American psychologist and writer known for his strong advocacy of psychedelic drugs. Opinions of Leary are polarized, ranging from bold innovator in neuropsychology and philosophy to controversial figure of the counterculture movement in the 1960s.

Early Life

Leary was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, to an Irish Catholic family. His early education was marked by success at the United States Military Academy at West Point, but his time there ended in controversy and dismissal. He went on to receive a bachelor's degree from the University of Alabama in 1943. Following his graduation, Leary served in the United States Army during World War II, after which he earned a master's degree from the University of Washington and a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of California, Berkeley in 1950.

Career

Leary's early career in psychology included positions at the University of California, Berkeley, Kaiser Family Foundation, and Harvard University, where he served as a lecturer in the Department of Social Relations. At Harvard, he began experiments with psyilocybin and LSD, which he believed could treat mental illness and lead to personal enlightenment. His research at Harvard, known as the Harvard Psilocybin Project, was controversial and led to his dismissal in 1963.

Following his departure from Harvard, Leary became a prominent advocate for the use of psychedelic drugs. He argued that these substances could help people achieve a higher state of consciousness and advocated for their use as sacraments in religious ceremonies. He popularized phrases such as "turn on, tune in, drop out," which became slogans of the 1960s counterculture movement.

Legal Troubles and Later Life

Leary's advocacy for psychedelic drugs led to numerous legal troubles. He was arrested multiple times for possession of marijuana and other drugs. In 1970, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison, but he escaped and fled overseas. He was eventually captured in Afghanistan in 1973 and returned to the United States, where he continued to serve his sentence until his release in 1976.

In his later years, Leary remained a prolific writer, lecturer, and futurist, focusing on topics such as space colonization, cyberspace, and virtual reality. He developed a philosophy that emphasized the importance of space migration, intelligence increase, and life extension, which he abbreviated as "SMI²LE."

Death

Timothy Leary died on May 31, 1996, in Beverly Hills, California, from prostate cancer. His death was marked by his unconventional request to have his ashes launched into space, which was fulfilled in 1997.

Legacy

Leary's legacy is a complex one. He is remembered both as a pioneering psychologist who expanded the field's understanding of consciousness and as a controversial figure whose advocacy for drug use influenced the counterculture of the 1960s. His work continues to influence contemporary discussions on the therapeutic and spiritual benefits of psychedelic drugs.