Stevenson, Ian (1918-)

Physician, professor of psychiatry, and parapsychologist. His special area of study has been used as evidence for survival, and apparent memories of former incarnations. Stevenson was born on October 31, 1918, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He studied at McGill University, Montreal (B.S., 1943, M.D., 1944). He held positions at Cornell Medical College (1947-49), Louisiana State University (1949-1957), and the Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, beginning in 1957.

Stevenson was a charter member of the Parapsychological Association and a member of the American Society for Psychical Research. He wrote on various issues in parapsychology, but was particularly concerned with evidence supporting the belief of reincarnation. His research and writing concentrated in that area, beginning with his contest winning essay in honor of William James, "The Evidence for Survival from Claimed Memories of Former Incarnations" (1961). His publications include 8 books on parapsychology, 136 articles dealing with medicine, and 70 articles that address parapsychology.

Sources:

Pleasants, Helene, ed. Biographical Dictionary of Parapsychology. New York: Helix Press, 1964.

Stevenson, Ian. "An Antagonist's View of Parapsychology. A Review of Professor Hansel's 'ESP: A Scientific Evaluation.'&43" Journal of American Society for Psychical Research 61 (July 1967).

——. Cases of the Reincarnation Type. 3 vols. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1975-1983.

——. "A Review & Analysis of Paranormal Experiences Connected with the Sinking of the Titanic." Journal of American Society for Psychical Research 54 (1961).

——. Telepathic Impressions: A Review and Report of Thirty-five New Cases. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1970.

——. Twelve Cases in Lebanon & Turkey. N.p., 1980.

——. Twenty Cases Suggestive of Reincarnation. 2d ed. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1974.