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.

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.

1 box (0.5 linear ft.)

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