Timothy Francis Leary

Timothy Francis Leary - Psychologists, Birthday and Family

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Timothy Francis Leary Biography Stories 

Timothy Francis Leary's Personal Details

Timothy Leary was a psychologist and lecturer who advocated the use of LSD

InformationDetail
BirthdayOctober 22, 1920
Died onMay 31, 1996
NationalityAmerican
FamousUniversity Of Alabama, University Of California, Berkeley, Intellectuals & Academics, Psychologists, Psychologists
SpousesNena von Schlebrügge
Known asTimothy Leary
ChildrensZach Leary
Universities
  • University Of Alabama,University Of California, Berkeley
  • University of California
  • Berkeley
  • University of Alabama
  • Washington State University
  • United States Military Academy
  • College of the Holy Cross
Notable Alumnis
  • University Of Alabama
  • University Of California
  • Berkeley
Founder / Co-Founder
  • International Foundation for Internal Freedom
  • League for Spiritual Discovery
Birth PlaceSpringfield
GenderMale
Sun SignLibra
Born inSpringfield
Famous asAmerican psychologist
Died at Age75

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Timothy Francis Leary's photo

Who is Timothy Francis Leary?

Once called the ‘Most Dangerous Man in America’ by President Richard Nixon, Timothy Leary was a Harvard University lecturer and a psychologist who advocated the use of psychedelic drugs for therapeutic use. A highly intelligent man, he was rebellious by nature and believed in questioning authority instead of meekly giving in. His fascination with psychedelic drugs began after he consumed psilocybin mushrooms in Mexico, which have a psychedelic effect on the human brain. He started conducting experiments on the effects of psychedelic drugs on human subjects in Harvard University, an act which led to his dismissal from the job. Soon he became a passionate advocate of these drugs and even founded The League for Spiritual Discovery, a religious organization that regarded LSD as its holy sacrament. His activities led to a slew of criticisms and legal charges which in turn led to his arrests and imprisonments. Even though he was very notorious for his work with drugs, he had his own fan following mainly consisting of rebellious teenagers; his lectures advocating drug use were a rage among the college students. A prolific writer, he also has several published works to his name. His notoriety made him a celebrity of sorts, and he was often invited to Hollywood parties.

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Childhood & Early Life

Timothy Leary was born to a dentist father and his wife in Massachusetts. He father abandoned his family when Timothy was 13.

He graduated from Classical High School. He enrolled at the College of the Holy Cross in 1938 and studied there till 1940.

Under his father’s pressure he joined as cadet in the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. During his brief stint at the Academy, he got into serious trouble due to his rebellious nature. He resigned and was honorably discharged by the Army.

He joined the University of Alabama in the fall of 1941. However, a year later, he was expelled from the university after he was caught spending a night in the female dormitory.

He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1943 during the Second World War and was discharged in 1946 following the resolution of War. By this time he had risen to the rank of a sergeant and had won many awards.

He decided to pursue an academic career and received an M.S. degree in psychology from Washington State University in 1946. He earned his Ph.D. degree in clinical psychology from the University of California in 1950.

Career

He was appointed as an assistant professor at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine in 1950 and held this post till 1955.

He also began working simultaneously as the Director of the Kaiser Family Foundation Psychological Research Division in Oakland from 1952 to 1958.

He developed a complex model of interpersonal circumplex which was published in ‘The Interpersonal Diagnosis of Personality’ while he was at the Kaiser Foundation.

He joined the faculty at Harvard University as a lecturer in 1959 where he taught clinical psychology. He was also associated with the Harvard Center for Research in Personality and was in charge of the Harvard Psilocybin Project and concomitant experiments along with assistant professor Richard Alpert.

He went to Mexico in 1960 where he consumed psilocybin mushrooms for the first time, which produces psychedelic effects; this kindled his interest in psychedelic drugs. On his return to Harvard, he started conducting experiments with psychedelic drugs on human beings.

He directed the Concord Prison Experiments that were conducted between 1961 and 1963 to study whether the drug psilocybin when combined with psychotherapy could motivate prisoners to leave behind their anti-social lifestyles.

He was fired from his Harvard job in 1963 because of the controversial nature of his experiments.

In 1966, he founded a religious organization, the League for Spiritual Discovery that considered LSD as its holy sacrament. The hidden motive behind this was to push for the legalization of LSD based on the argument of freedom of religion.

He toured extensively in 1966 and 1967 presenting a multimedia performance on the LSD experience titled ‘The Death of the Mind’ in various college campuses. He encouraged the students to explore their own psychedelic religions.

He received an invitation to attend the hippie event ‘Human Be-In’ organized by Michael Bowen in 1967. While speaking to the gathering of over 30, 000 hippies, he coined the phrase ‘Turn on, tune in, drop out’—which was also the motto for the League for Spiritual Discovery.

He worked with the writer Brian Barritt during the late 1960s and early 1970s to design his eight-circuit model of consciousness. The model initially consisted of seven circuits, but was later revised to include an eighth one.

He was arrested and sent to prison on possession of illegal drug charges in 1970. He managed to escape but was recaptured in 1972. He wrote several books while in prison. He was released in 1976.

He remained a prolific writer and continued lecturing after his release.

Major Works

He is primarily known for his experiments on human beings involving psychedelic drugs and for being an open advocate for the use of LSD and other drugs for therapeutic purposes.

Awards & Achievements

By the time he was discharged from the army in 1946, he had won several awards including the American Defense Service Medal, the American Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.

Personal Life & Legacy

Timothy Leary married several times. His first wife Marianne committed suicide while many of his other marriages ended in divorce. His daughter Susan also died by committing suicide.

He was a heavy user of psychedelic drugs like marijuana, LSD, heroin and morphine.

He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1995 and died a year later in 1996.

Trivia

A rocket containing his ashes was launched into space in 1997.

He played a supporting role in the comedy film ‘Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me’.

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Timothy Francis Leary biography timelines

  • // 22nd Oct 1920
    Timothy Leary was born to a dentist father and his wife in Massachusetts. He father abandoned his family when Timothy was 13.
  • // 1938 To 1940
    He graduated from Classical High School. He enrolled at the College of the Holy Cross in 1938 and studied there till 1940.
  • // 1941 To 1942
    He joined the University of Alabama in the fall of 1941. However, a year later, he was expelled from the university after he was caught spending a night in the female dormitory.
  • // 1943 To 1946
    He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1943 during the Second World War and was discharged in 1946 following the resolution of War. By this time he had risen to the rank of a sergeant and had won many awards.
  • // 1946 To 1950
    He decided to pursue an academic career and received an M.S. degree in psychology from Washington State University in 1946. He earned his Ph.D. degree in clinical psychology from the University of California in 1950.
  • // 1950 To 1955
    He was appointed as an assistant professor at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine in 1950 and held this post till 1955.
  • // 1952 To 1958
    He also began working simultaneously as the Director of the Kaiser Family Foundation Psychological Research Division in Oakland from 1952 to 1958.
  • // 1959
    He joined the faculty at Harvard University as a lecturer in 1959 where he taught clinical psychology. He was also associated with the Harvard Center for Research in Personality and was in charge of the Harvard Psilocybin Project and concomitant experiments along with assistant professor Richard Alpert.
  • // 1960
    He went to Mexico in 1960 where he consumed psilocybin mushrooms for the first time, which produces psychedelic effects; this kindled his interest in psychedelic drugs. On his return to Harvard, he started conducting experiments with psychedelic drugs on human beings.
  • // 1961 To 1963
    He directed the Concord Prison Experiments that were conducted between 1961 and 1963 to study whether the drug psilocybin when combined with psychotherapy could motivate prisoners to leave behind their anti-social lifestyles.
  • // 1963
    He was fired from his Harvard job in 1963 because of the controversial nature of his experiments.
  • // 1966
    In 1966, he founded a religious organization, the League for Spiritual Discovery that considered LSD as its holy sacrament. The hidden motive behind this was to push for the legalization of LSD based on the argument of freedom of religion.
  • // 1966 To 1967
    He toured extensively in 1966 and 1967 presenting a multimedia performance on the LSD experience titled ‘The Death of the Mind’ in various college campuses. He encouraged the students to explore their own psychedelic religions.
  • // 1967
    He received an invitation to attend the hippie event ‘Human Be-In’ organized by Michael Bowen in 1967. While speaking to the gathering of over 30, 000 hippies, he coined the phrase ‘Turn on, tune in, drop out’—which was also the motto for the League for Spiritual Discovery.
  • // 1970
    He was arrested and sent to prison on possession of illegal drug charges in 1970. He managed to escape but was recaptured in 1972. He wrote several books while in prison. He was released in 1976.
  • // 31st May 1996
    He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1995 and died a year later in 1996.

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Timothy Francis Leary's FAQ

  • What is Timothy Francis Leary birthday?

    Timothy Francis Leary was born at 1920-10-22

  • When was Timothy Francis Leary died?

    Timothy Francis Leary was died at 1996-05-31

  • Where was Timothy Francis Leary died?

    Timothy Francis Leary was died in Beverly Hills

  • Which age was Timothy Francis Leary died?

    Timothy Francis Leary was died at age 75

  • Where is Timothy Francis Leary's birth place?

    Timothy Francis Leary was born in Springfield

  • What is Timothy Francis Leary nationalities?

    Timothy Francis Leary's nationalities is American

  • Who is Timothy Francis Leary spouses?

    Timothy Francis Leary's spouses is Nena von Schlebrügge

  • Who is Timothy Francis Leary childrens?

    Timothy Francis Leary's childrens is Zach Leary

  • What was Timothy Francis Leary universities?

    Timothy Francis Leary studied at University Of Alabama,University Of California, Berkeley, University of California, Berkeley, University of Alabama, Washington State University, United States Military Academy, College of the Holy Cross

  • What was Timothy Francis Leary notable alumnis?

    Timothy Francis Leary's notable alumnis is University Of Alabama, University Of California, Berkeley

  • Which company or organization was founded by Timothy Francis Leary?

    Timothy Francis Leary was the founder/co-founder of International Foundation for Internal Freedom, League for Spiritual Discovery

  • What is Timothy Francis Leary's sun sign?

    Timothy Francis Leary is Libra

  • How famous is Timothy Francis Leary?

    Timothy Francis Leary is famouse as American psychologist