Raynor Johnson

Raynor Carey Johnson (1901 - 1987) was an English physicist and author.

Johnson was born in Leeds, England. He earned an MA at the University of Oxford and a PhD in physics at the University of London. He taught physics in London and Belfast, working for a time with Ernest Rutherford in the Cavendish Laboratory. He became increasingly interested in "the esoteric" and became connected with the Society for Psychical Research in London.

Johnson's religious background led to work in Australia, where he was Master of the Methodist Queen’s College at the University of Melbourne from 1934 to 1964 [ [http://www.unimelb.edu.au/unisec/calendar/headscolleges.html Former Heads of Colleges at University of Melbourne] ] . This university gave him a DSc "honoris causa" in 1936.

Johnson published several books on mysticism and psychic research during the 1950s and 1960s. His interest and writings in esotericism eventually created concern within the Methodist Church [ [http://www.abc.net.au/rn/relig/spirit/stories/s150033.htm Discussion of Raynor Johnson on ABC] ] , and he retired from his University position in 1964. At this time he owned a property called "Santiniketan" (abode of peace) at Ferny Creek in the Dandenong Ranges outside Melbourne, where he hosted regular meetings of a religious and philosophical discussion group led by the yoga teacher Anne Hamilton-Byrne. This group became the Santiniketan Park Association, known informally as "The Family" [ [http://law.ato.gov.au/atolaw/view.htm?docid='JUD/*1999*1VR861/00002'] Supreme Court of Victoria 1999 "Judgement in Kibby v. Registrar of Titles and Another" ] .

Publications

* "Spectra". 1928 (Methuen: London)
* "Atomic Spectra". 1946 (Methuen: London)
* "An introduction to Molecular Spectra". 1949 (Methuen: London)
* "The Imprisoned Splendour. An approach to reality, based upon the significance of data drawn from the fields of natural science, psychical research and mystical experience". 1953 (Hodder & Stoughton: London); new edition 1989 (Pelegrin Trust in association with Pilgrim Books: Tasburgh, Norwich) ISBN 0-946259-30-5
* "Psychical Research". 1955 (English Universities Press: London)
* "Nurslings of Immortality". 1957 (Hodder & Stoughton: London); new edition 1989 (Pelegrin Trust in association with Pilgrim Books: Tasburgh, Norwich) ISBN 0-946259-43-7
* "Watcher on the Hills". 1959 (Hodder & Stoughton: London); new edition 1988 (Pelegrin Trust in association with Pilgrim Books: Tasburgh, Norwich) ISBN 0-946259-28-3
* "A Religious Outlook for Modern Man". 1963. (Hodder & Stoughton: London); new edition 1988 (Pelegrin Trust in association with Pilgrim Books: Tasburgh, Norwich) ISBN 0-946259-27-5
* "The Light and the Gate". 1964 (Hodder & Stoughton: London) ISBN 0-340012-14-5
* "The Spiritual Path". 1972 (Hodder & Stoughton: London) ISBN 0-340158-52-2
* "A Pool of Reflections: for the refreshment of travellers on the spiritual path". 1975 (Hodder & Stoughton: London) ISBN 0-340192-47-X
* "Light of All Life: Thoughts towards a philosophy of life". 1984 (Pilgrim Books: Tasburgh, Norwich) ISBN 0-946259-07-0

References