Rufus Osgood Mason
Encyclopedia
Rufus Osgood Mason was a physician
, surgeon
, teacher
, and an early researcher in parapsychology
and hypnotherapy
Dr Mason was the son of Rufus and Prudence (Woods) Mason. He prepared for college at Thetford, Vermont
and later graduated at Dartmouth College
in 1854. He then entered Union Theological Seminary
, 1854–55, before moving to medicine. In 1859, he graduated at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City
(now a part of Columbia University
). He became one of the most noted surgeons of his day in New York City
.
During The American Civil War
, (1861–1864) he became an Assistant Surgeon for The United States Navy
. from 1861-64 he served on the USS Santiago de Cuba
. In 1864 he took up medical practice in New York city, where he was attending physician, Northwestern dispensary, until 1869.
Between the years leaving Union Theological Seminary and entering the medical profession, he became an instructor at a public school in Cleveland, Ohio
. It was there that he met, taught, inspired, and befriended "A small Barefoot Boy" named William Rockefeller
(Brother of John D. Rockefeller
). This relationship would endure through the years, and Dr. Mason becoming "A Rockefeller Patron" toward the advancing of the medical sciences.
Dr. Mason was also deeply interested in Metaphysical
speculation and theory. His input would help in the early pioneer development of Parapsychology
and psychical research. These subjects were published in many books, magazines, and newspaper articles. He is accredited as "An Early Father-Pioneer of Parapsychology" and advance-supporter of the study of applied therapeutic uses of what is known today as Hypnotherapy
.
He was a contributing member of The Society for Psychical Research
. His main publlication was the book Telepathy and theSubliminal Mind (1897), and his work focused on case studies and popularisation. His chief contributions to the field are considered to be the latter, in the United States, particularly relating to the work of the Society for Psychical Research and the theories of Frederic William Henry Myers
.
Much of Dr. Mason's research and observations in psychical research would be applied in early ESP, Telepathy, Astral (OOBE) research, and in present day Remote Viewing
. The 50th Annual Convention of the Parapsychological Association, September 2007, acclaimed him as an early pioneer in parapsychology and psychical research.
He was married first in New York City
to Marian Isabelle Goodwin in July 1871, and married second to Charlotte Louise Quick
in 1886. After his death the latter used her inheritance to became a leading patron of the Harlem Renaissance
.
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
, surgeon
Surgeon
In medicine, a surgeon is a specialist in surgery. Surgery is a broad category of invasive medical treatment that involves the cutting of a body, whether human or animal, for a specific reason such as the removal of diseased tissue or to repair a tear or breakage...
, teacher
Teacher
A teacher or schoolteacher is a person who provides education for pupils and students . The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional...
, and an early researcher in parapsychology
Parapsychology
The term parapsychology was coined in or around 1889 by philosopher Max Dessoir, and originates from para meaning "alongside", and psychology. The term was adopted by J.B. Rhine in the 1930s as a replacement for the term psychical research...
and hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy is a therapy that is undertaken with a subject in hypnosis.The word "hypnosis" is an abbreviation of James Braid's term "neuro-hypnotism", meaning "sleep of the nervous system"....
Dr Mason was the son of Rufus and Prudence (Woods) Mason. He prepared for college at Thetford, Vermont
Thetford, Vermont
Thetford is a town in Orange County, Vermont, United States in the Connecticut River Valley. The population was 2,617 at the 2000 census. Villages within the town include East Thetford, North Thetford, Thetford Hill, Thetford Center, Rices Mills and Post Mills. The town office is in Thetford...
and later graduated at Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College is a private, Ivy League university in Hanover, New Hampshire, United States. The institution comprises a liberal arts college, Dartmouth Medical School, Thayer School of Engineering, and the Tuck School of Business, as well as 19 graduate programs in the arts and sciences...
in 1854. He then entered Union Theological Seminary
Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York
Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York is a preeminent independent graduate school of theology, located in Manhattan between Claremont Avenue and Broadway, 120th to 122nd Streets. The seminary was founded in 1836 under the Presbyterian Church, and is affiliated with nearby Columbia...
, 1854–55, before moving to medicine. In 1859, he graduated at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
(now a part of Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
). He became one of the most noted surgeons of his day in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
.
During The American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, (1861–1864) he became an Assistant Surgeon for The United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
. from 1861-64 he served on the USS Santiago de Cuba
USS Santiago de Cuba (1861)
USS Santiago de Cuba was a brig acquired by the Union Navy during the first year of the American Civil War. She was outfitted as a gunboat with powerful 20-pounder rifled guns and 32-pounder cannon and was assigned to the Union blockade of the Confederate States of America.- Commissioned in New...
. In 1864 he took up medical practice in New York city, where he was attending physician, Northwestern dispensary, until 1869.
Between the years leaving Union Theological Seminary and entering the medical profession, he became an instructor at a public school in Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
. It was there that he met, taught, inspired, and befriended "A small Barefoot Boy" named William Rockefeller
William Rockefeller
William Avery Rockefeller, Jr. , American financier, was a co-founder with his older brother John D. Rockefeller of the prominent United States Rockefeller family. He was the son of William Avery Rockefeller, Sr. and Eliza Rockefeller.-Youth, education:Rockefeller was born in Richford, New York,...
(Brother of John D. Rockefeller
John D. Rockefeller
John Davison Rockefeller was an American oil industrialist, investor, and philanthropist. He was the founder of the Standard Oil Company, which dominated the oil industry and was the first great U.S. business trust. Rockefeller revolutionized the petroleum industry and defined the structure of...
). This relationship would endure through the years, and Dr. Mason becoming "A Rockefeller Patron" toward the advancing of the medical sciences.
Dr. Mason was also deeply interested in Metaphysical
Metaphysics
Metaphysics is a branch of philosophy concerned with explaining the fundamental nature of being and the world, although the term is not easily defined. Traditionally, metaphysics attempts to answer two basic questions in the broadest possible terms:...
speculation and theory. His input would help in the early pioneer development of Parapsychology
Parapsychology
The term parapsychology was coined in or around 1889 by philosopher Max Dessoir, and originates from para meaning "alongside", and psychology. The term was adopted by J.B. Rhine in the 1930s as a replacement for the term psychical research...
and psychical research. These subjects were published in many books, magazines, and newspaper articles. He is accredited as "An Early Father-Pioneer of Parapsychology" and advance-supporter of the study of applied therapeutic uses of what is known today as Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy is a therapy that is undertaken with a subject in hypnosis.The word "hypnosis" is an abbreviation of James Braid's term "neuro-hypnotism", meaning "sleep of the nervous system"....
.
He was a contributing member of The Society for Psychical Research
Society for Psychical Research
The Society for Psychical Research is a non-profit organisation in the United Kingdom. Its stated purpose is to understand "events and abilities commonly described as psychic or paranormal by promoting and supporting important research in this area" and to "examine allegedly paranormal phenomena...
. His main publlication was the book Telepathy and theSubliminal Mind (1897), and his work focused on case studies and popularisation. His chief contributions to the field are considered to be the latter, in the United States, particularly relating to the work of the Society for Psychical Research and the theories of Frederic William Henry Myers
Frederic William Henry Myers
Frederic William Henry Myers was a classical scholar, poet, philosopher, and past president of the Society for Psychical Research.-Early life:...
.
Much of Dr. Mason's research and observations in psychical research would be applied in early ESP, Telepathy, Astral (OOBE) research, and in present day Remote Viewing
Remote viewing
Remote viewing is the practice of seeking impressions about a distant or unseen target using paranormal means, in particular, extra-sensory perception or "sensing with mind"...
. The 50th Annual Convention of the Parapsychological Association, September 2007, acclaimed him as an early pioneer in parapsychology and psychical research.
He was married first in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
to Marian Isabelle Goodwin in July 1871, and married second to Charlotte Louise Quick
Charlotte Osgood Mason
Charlotte Osgood Mason Charlotte Osgood Mason Charlotte Osgood Mason (Born Charlotte Louise Van der Veer Quick (May 18, 1854, Princeton, New Jersey - April 15, 1946, New York City) was an American socialite and philanthropist....
in 1886. After his death the latter used her inheritance to became a leading patron of the Harlem Renaissance
Harlem Renaissance
The Harlem Renaissance was a cultural movement that spanned the 1920s and 1930s. At the time, it was known as the "New Negro Movement", named after the 1925 anthology by Alain Locke...
.