R. D. Laing

Ronald David Laing (October 7, 1927–August 23,

Biography

Laing was born in the Govanhill district of Glasgow, Scotland and went on to study medicine at Glasgow University. He spent several years as an army psychiatrist, where he found he had a particular talent for communicating with mentally distressed people. In 1953 Laing left the army and later went to study at the Tavistock Clinic in London, widely known as a centre for the study and practice of psychotherapy (particularly psychoanalysis).

Related Topics:
Glasgow - Scotland - Medicine - Glasgow University - 1953 - Tavistock Clinic - London - Psychotherapy - Psychoanalysis

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In 1965 Laing started a psychiatric community project at Kingsley Hall, where patients and therapists lived together. The Norwegian author Axel Jensen got to know Laing at this time. They became close friends and Laing often visited Axel Jensen onboard his ship Shanti Devi in Stockholm.

Related Topics:
1965 - Kingsley Hall - Axel Jensen - Shanti Devi - Stockholm

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Laing was troubled by his own demons, suffering both from episodic alcoholism and clinical depression, although he reportedly was free of both in the years before his death. He died at age 61 of a heart attack while playing tennis.

Related Topics:
Alcoholism - Clinical depression - Heart attack

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