R. Gordon Wasson

R. Gordon Wasson was a renowned American banker and amateur mycology researcher, best known for his studies on the use of psychedelic mushrooms in indigenous cultures, particularly in Mexico and Siberia. Wasson's work was heavily influenced by his interactions with María Sabina, a Mazatec shaman, and his research was published in various journals, including Life (magazine). His findings also drew the attention of Aldous Huxley, Albert Hofmann, and other prominent figures in the fields of psychology and pharmacology. Wasson's research was also connected to the work of Richard Evans Schultes, a Harvard University professor, and Timothy Leary, a psychologist known for his experiments with LSD.

● Early Life and Education

R. Gordon Wasson was born in Great Falls, Montana, to a family of English and Scottish descent. He spent his early years in Detroit, Michigan, and later moved to New Jersey, where he attended Princeton University. Wasson's interest in mycology was sparked by his wife, Valentina Pavlovna Wasson, a Russian-born physician who shared his passion for botany and ethnobotany. The couple's research was also influenced by the work of Carl Jung, a Swiss psychiatrist, and Joseph Campbell, an American comparative mythology expert. Wasson's education and early career were also shaped by his interactions with J.P. Morgan & Co., where he worked as a banker, and his connections to the New York City financial community, including The New York Times and Forbes.

● Career

Wasson's career as a banker spanned several decades, during which he worked for J.P. Morgan & Co. and traveled extensively throughout Europe and Asia. His experiences in London and Paris exposed him to various cultural and intellectual movements, including the work of Sigmund Freud, Marcel Proust, and James Joyce. Wasson's interactions with Allen Dulles, the former director of CIA, and Nelson Rockefeller, the former Vice President of the United States, also reflect his connections to the intelligence community and politics. Additionally, Wasson's research was supported by the National Science Foundation and the American Philosophical Society, and he was a member of the New York Academy of Sciences and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

● Ethnomycology Research

Wasson's research on ethnomycology focused on the use of psychedelic mushrooms in indigenous cultures, particularly in Mexico and Siberia. His work was influenced by the research of Roger Heim, a French mycologist, and Alexander Smith, an American mycologist. Wasson's findings were also connected to the work of Terence McKenna, an American ethnopharmacologist, and Dennis McKenna, a Canadian ethnopharmacologist. The Wasson's research was published in various journals, including Harvard University's Botanical Museum and the Journal of Psychedelic Studies. Wasson's interactions with Aldous Huxley and Albert Hofmann also reflect his connections to the counterculture movement of the 1960s, including the work of Timothy Leary and the Harvard Psilocybin Project.

● Personal Life

Wasson was married to Valentina Pavlovna Wasson, a Russian-born physician, and the couple had two children. His personal life was also influenced by his interactions with Ezra Pound, an American poet, and Marshall McLuhan, a Canadian philosopher. Wasson's connections to the New York City art world, including the work of Andy Warhol and The Factory (Warhol), also reflect his interests in modern art and culture. Additionally, Wasson's research was supported by the Rockefeller Foundation and the Ford Foundation, and he was a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the Trilateral Commission.

● Legacy

R. Gordon Wasson's research on ethnomycology has had a lasting impact on the fields of mycology, anthropology, and psychology. His work has been recognized by various institutions, including Harvard University and the American Museum of Natural History. Wasson's legacy is also reflected in the work of Michael Harner, an American anthropologist, and Daniel Pinchbeck, an American author. The Wasson's research has also been connected to the work of Stanislav Grof, a Czech-American psychiatrist, and Ram Dass, an American spiritual teacher. Wasson's contributions to the field of ethnomycology continue to inspire new generations of researchers, including those at the University of California, Berkeley and the University of Oxford.