Robert Anton Wilson (January 18, 1932 - January 11, 2007) is perhaps most widely known as the co-author, with Robert Shea, of the underground cult classic Illuminatus! trilogy, which won the 1986 Prometheus Hall of Fame Award. Wilson and Shea met when they worked together as associate editors at Playboy magazine between 1965 and 1971.

Wilson's numerous other works include several nonfiction works of futurist psychology and guerilla ontology, such as Prometheus Rising, The New Inquisition, and Everything is Under Control. A prolific writer, he published more than 30 books, including two additional fiction trilogies, Schrödinger's Cat (which New Scientist called "the most scientific of all science fiction novels") and The Historical Illuminatus Chronicles, as well as a biographical trilogy, Cosmic Trigger I-III.

Wilson was also a prolific public speaker, essayist and playwright. His novel Illuminatus! was adapted as a 10-hour science fiction rock epic and performed under the patronage of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at Great Britain's National Theatre, where Wilson appeared briefly on stage in a special cameo role. Another production of this play was presented in Seattle in 1978, which included a special one-day marathon presentation on New Year's Eve. His play "Wilhelm Reich in Hell" was performed at the Edmund Burke Theatre in Dublin, Ireland, and a 2005 performance in Los Angeles was captured on videotape by filmmaker Lance Bauscher, who also produced Maybe Logic: The Lives and Ideas of Robert Anton Wilson, a documentary containing clips covering more than a quarter-century of Wilson's videotaped and televised appearances detailing his philosophy.

Among his many friends Wilson included Dr. Timothy Leary; satirists Paul Krassner and Ken Campbell; alternative religious figures such as Greg Hill and Kerry Thornley, the founders of Discordiansm, Rev. Ivan Stang of the Church of the Subgenius, and E.J. Gold; numerous quantum physicists, including Fred Alan Wolf and Nick Herbert; poets Ivan Laurie and Catherine Inslee; and such counterculture luminaries as R.U. Sirius and Douglas Rushkoff. His fans are legion, both American legion and foreign legion.

The Impermanent Press is proud to have been a long-time source for the uncensored musings of RAW. He was a mentor and a friend, and he will be missed.

Ladies and gentlemen, Robert Anton Wilson has left the building! All rise as we burn the National Anthem! Amor et hilaritas!

"I love you all and I deeply implore you to keep the lasagna flying."
- from RAW's final email to the universe.

For additional details on Wilson's life, philosphy and work, and links to other RAW-related sites, please visit:

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