Erlendur Haraldsson: An Appreciation

Erlendur Haraldsson, a prolific researcher who made number of major contributions in various areas parapsychology and survival research, died Reykjavik on November 22, 2020 at the age 89. Born near Reykjavik, studied philosophy college, but his interest understanding more about world began before that. When he was 15, had an experience during heavy storm when sun suddenly shone through clouds lit up pebbles banks nearby shore. As light reflected off pebbles, sensed being filled with himself way that immense beyond words. In interview Michael Tymn (2015), said vivid trace feeling stayed him forever after that, never doubted there superior reality. Following worked for three years, mostly as journalist, returning to school study psychology, eventually earning PhD under Hans Bender Freiburg. After spent year working J. B. Rhine’s center Durham, North Carolina, followed by internship clinical psychology University Virginia, where met Ian Stevenson. He Stevenson Icelandic medium together, introducing topic mediumship which would return subsequent decades. internship, entered field bang. Karlis Osis, director research American Society Psychical Research, invited join large deathbed visions. They surveyed hundreds doctors nurses both United States India events they witnessed their patients. What resulted landmark study, one exemplified best has offer—detailed statistical analysis along compelling individual reports. One striking example involved two-and-a-half old boy whose mother six months before. The respondent wrote, “He lying very quiet. just sat up, put arms out said, ‘Mama,’ fell back [dead]” (Osis 1977, p. 53). Osis Haraldsson found data did not support known medical or psychological causes hallucinations. Likewise, influences religious other cultural factors could be used explain away phenomena.