Rushton, W(illiam A(lbert) H(ugh)(1901-1980)
Rushton, W(illiam A(lbert) H(ugh)(1901-1980)
Distinguished British physiologist who also took an active interest in parapsychology, becoming president of the Society for Psychical Research, London, (1969-71). Rushton was born on December 8, 1901. He was educated at Gresham's, Bolt; Emmanuel College, Cambridge and University College Hospital, London. He joined the faculty at Cambridge University in physiology and taught until 1968 when he moved to Florida State University as the Distinguished Resident Professor in Psychobiology. Following his retirement in 1977 he was named emeritus professor of physiology.
He contributed to the Journal of Physiology and took a special interest in nerve excitation and vision. In the field of psychical research, his expert physiological knowledge stimulated inquiry into the possible mechanisms of ESP. He was critical about false assumptions or unscientific thinking in study of the paranormal, but maintained a keen interest in the subject and believed in the reality of some phenomena. He died June 21, 1980.