Description
Alan Wilson Watts (1915-1973) was a professor of comparative philosophy (1951-57), dean (1953-56), and writer and lecturer
(1956-73) at the University of the Pacific, Academy of Asian Studies in San Francisco. He helped popularize Zen Buddhism in
the U.S., was an author, and a presentor of radio lectures in syndication. The collection consists of notes of seminars and
lectures given by Alan Watts in the Los Angeles area, transcribed by Marcella Scott Krisel from shorthand notes, typed, and
in paper binders.
Background
Alan Wilson Watts was born on January 6, 1915 in Chislehurst, England; edited The Middle Way (London, 1934-8); became member of council of the executive committee, World Congress of Faiths (1937-9); came to the U.S.
in 1938; was ordained an Anglican priest, 1944; became a religious counselor at Northwestern University (1944-50), where he
began to question the linearity of thought in Christianity; he became professor of comparative philosophy (1951-57), dean
(1953-56), and writer and lecturer (1956-73) at the University of the Pacific, Academy of Asian Studies, San Francisco; became
director of Eastern Wisdom and Modern Life series for National Educational television (1959-60, 1961), as well as author and
presentor of radio lectures in syndication; helped popularize Zen Buddhism in the U.S.; president, Society for Comparative
Philosophy; published books include Outline of Zen Buddhism (1933), Myth and Ritual in Christianity (1953), The Way of Liberation in Zen Buddhism (1955), and Psychotherapy East and West (1961); he died on November 16, 1973.
Extent
1 box (0.5 linear ft.)
Restrictions
Property rights to the physical object belong to the UCLA Library, Department of Special Collections. Literary rights, including
copyright, are retained by the creators and their heirs. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds
the copyright and pursue the
copyright owner or his or her heir for permission to publish where The UC Regents do not hold the copyright.
Availability
COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE AT SRLF: Advance notice required for access.