Promethean Foundation

The Promethean Foundation is a private organization with a mission to sponsor research in parapsychology and related fields. The institute was founded in 1908 through private donations and is administered by a board of directors. Grants are given by the institute to fund a number of areas of private and public research. The institute also funds a number of scholarships and grant programs for university students who are pursuing studies related to parapsychology.

Foundation director Magdalena Carter announced her retirement in early 1965. For a brief period the foundation was without leadership and seemed to flounder. It was later revealed that the foundation and its directors had been assisting the government in a lengthy investigation of the trafficking of stolen antiquities and artifacts. Several arrests were made as a result and some members and associates of the foundation were implicated.

In May 1965 renowned parapsychologist Avi Szasz was announced as the new director of the foundation. Szasz is widely known for his rigorous application of accepted scientific methodologies to research in the paranormal. He is one of the only professional parapsychologists who is respected in mainstream scientific fields.

On June 1, 1965 the Promethean Foundation moved into new offices at the Hollywood First National Building at 6777 Hollywood Boulevard. The foundation plans to offer educational classes to the public and in October will be opening a museum focusing on magic and the occult.

Research Initiatives

The Foundation sponsors research in consciousness studies, psychology, eastern & western religions, mysticism, metaphysics, occultism, and classical and modern philosophy.

In 1924 the foundation announced the funding of a dream study institute in Los Angeles. The program was designed and supervised by Dr. Jeffrey Parkman, who went on to become Foundation director in 1925 with the death of founder Gerhard Thuringer. The Parkman Institute in Pasadena was created by the Foundation in 1950 to continue Dr. Parkman's research.

The disastrous 1930 Pabodie Expedition to Antarctica was co-sponsored by the Foundation along with Miskatonic University.

History

See Promethean Foundation History.

The foundation was begun in 1909 by Gerhard Thuringer, who decided to dispense a large personal inheritance by donating it to various academic associates to advance their research. At the urging of his colleague Ted Webster, Thuringer also began funding what was termed "practical magical research." Webster began traveling to various locations researching the presence of practical magic. Webster's goal was to develop a general practical theory of magic, goal which he failed to reach before his tragic and untimely death in 1926. It was after this event that Thuringer decided to formally organize the foundation. When Thuringer asked his friend Calvin Alden to help raise funds for the cause, Alden agreed to finance the organization himself. Alden recruited pioneering psychiatrist Jeffrey Parkman to direct the foundation.

Foundation Directors

Gerhard Thuringer	(1908-1925)
Jeffrey Parkman	(1925-1950)
Quentin Devereux	(1950-1953)
Magdalena Carter	(1953-1965)
Avi Szasz	(1965- )