Arthur James Ellison
| Arthur James Ellison | |
|---|---|
| Born | 15 January 1920 |
| 6 September 20006 September 2000 | |
| 🏳️ Nationality | British |
| 💼 Occupation | |
| Known for | Founding the International Conference on Electrical Machines (ICEM) |
| Title | Professor Emeritus |
Arthur James Ellison (1920 – 6 September 2000) was a British electrical engineer, academic, and parapsychologist. He served as Professor and Head of the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at City, University of London from 1972 until his retirement in 1985. Ellison was also a prominent figure in paranormal investigation, serving twice as the president of the Society for Psychical Research (SPR).
Engineering career
Ellison spent the early part of his career working in the industrial sector, specialising in the design, noise analysis, and vibration mitigation of heavy electrical machinery. He later transitioned into academia, joining Queen Mary College before being appointed Professor and Head of the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at City University London in 1972.
In 1974, Ellison co-founded the International Conference on Electrical Machines (ICEM) alongside academic colleagues, establishing it as a premier global forum for electrical engineering research. He served as the chairman of its International Steering Committee until 1984. Following his retirement from teaching in 1985, he was named Professor Emeritus.
Psychical research
Parallel to his engineering career, Ellison had a deep interest in parapsychology and alternative states of consciousness. He joined the Society for Psychical Research (SPR) in 1955 and was elected its president for two separate terms (1976–1979 and 1992–1993). He also served as the president of the Association for the Scientific Study of Anomalous Phenomena (ASSAP).
Ellison advocated for a strictly scientific, experimental approach to paranormal phenomena, frequently designing laboratory equipment to test claims of telepathy, out-of-body experiences, and mediumship.
Conversion to Islam
In September 1985, Ellison attended the First Islamic International Medical Conference in Cairo, Egypt. During the conference, he presented a paper comparing modern psychological concepts of consciousness and sleep with descriptions found in the Quran (specifically Surah Az-Zumar, 39:42). At the conclusion of the conference, Ellison publicly announced his conversion to Islam, adopting the first name Abdullah.
Death
Ellison died from esophageal cancer on 6 September 2000 at the age of 80.
Selected bibliography
- Electromechanical Energy Conversion (1965)
- The Paranormal: A Scientific Exploration (1988)
- Science and the Paranormal (2002, published posthumously)
References
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