Stevens, William Oliver (1878-1955)
Stevens, William Oliver (1878-1955)
Author and educator who wrote on parapsychology. Stevens was born on October 7, 1878, in Rangoon, Burma. Stevens studied at Colby College, Waterville, Maine (B.A., 1899) and Yale University (Ph.D., 1903). He taught English for many years at the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland (1905-24), and then successively was the headmaster of Roger Ascham School, White Plains, New York (1924-27); headmaster of Cranbrook School, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan (1927-35); and dean of the School of Literature and Journalism, Oglethorpe University (1936-37).
Out of his interest in parapsychology, Stevens joined the American Society for Psychical Research. He wrote many books on naval history and other subjects, including psychic research. He died January 16, 1955.
Sources:
Pleasants, Helene, ed. Biographical Dictionary of Parapsychology. New York: Helix Press, 1964.
Stevens, William O. Beyond the Sunset. New York: Dodd, Mead, 1944.
——. Mystery of Dreams. New York: Dodd, Mead, 1949. Reprint, London: Allen & Unwin, 1950.
——. Psychics and Common Sense. New York: Dodd, Mead, 1945.
——. Unbidden Guests. N.p., 1945.