200610051251UPDATE: Boing Boing has a further report, saying that Wilson has enough money to live out his last few weeks, as reproducing a note from him, which we’re going to quote.

Dear Friends, my God, what can I say. I am dumbfounded, flabbergasted, and totally stunned by the charity and compassion that has poured in here the last three days.

To steal from Jack Benny, “I do not deserve this, but I also have severe leg problems and I don’t deserve them either.”

Because he was a kind man as well as a funny one, Benny was beloved. I find it hard to believe that I am equally beloved and especially that I deserve such love.

Whoever you are, wherever you are, know that my love is with you.

You have all reminded me that despite George W. Bush and all his cohorts, there is still a lot of beautiful kindness in the world.

Blessings.

Robert Anton Wilson

Robert Anton Wilson is the writer of the Illuminatus books, among other things, and without him you wouldn’t be enjoying many of your favorite comic books right this minute, Certainly, Grant Morrison, to name but one prominent example, owes a sizable and often publicly mentioned debt to the grandfather of all mystical, many tendriled conspiracy theory cabals.

Now Wilson is dying, Douglas Rushkoff reports, and in dire straits financially.

In case the name doesn’t immediately ring a bell, Bob is the guy who wrote Cosmic Trigger – still the best narrative on how to enter and navigate the psycho-spiritual realm, and co-wrote the Illuminatus Trilogy, an epic work that pushes beyond conspiracy theory into conspiracy practice. Robert Anton Wilson will one day be remembered alongside such literary philosophers as Aldous Huxley and James Joyce.

But right now, Bob is a human being in a rather painful fleshsuit, who needs our help. I refuse for the history books to say he died alone and destitute, for I want future generations to know we appreciated Robert Anton Wilson while he was alive.


Boing Boing has some more on this, with an update stating that enough money has been raised for next month’s rent and more. There is a Paypal account for those who want to help out. Don’t let one of our founding fathers die in poverty.

1 COMMENT

  1. This is terrible news. I remember when my brother gave me Illuminatus! in Middle School, and it totally blew my brainbox into a million pieces. God only knows how much money he sees from the sales of his books, but if anyone out there doesn’t feel they can scrape up the cash to contribute, you should do yourself a favor and pick up some of Wilson’s works as soon as you can.

  2. I put my own call to arms on RAW’s behalf on my blog as soon as I read the BoingBoing item. Think of it this way, unfamiliar comic geeks: Who else would Millar, Bendis, et al, have to rip off from for the origins of CIVIL WAR? Do you think X-FILES ever would have existed if not for the grandpappy of all conspiracy theorists? You get down on your knees in front of your shelves of longboxes and thank Eris for the gift to humanity that is Robert Anton Wilson.

  3. His son is the extremely popular and well known actor Rainn Wilson (from Six Feet Under/ The Office). I would imagine he’s making HUUUUUUGE $$$ off his recent stardom. Can’t imagine he’s not taking care of Dad. Anyone have any insight on this?

  5. Hey Bob. Praise…

    I hope that if you ever read this here or in a non local orgone field of quantum dreams that you ar ok, and that somehow you will proove the materialists wrong. even after the earthly shell of isness has had itself shredded from u

  6. Dear Friends, just want to set the record straight as the October 10th post was just brought to my attention. Robert Anton Wilson is NOT the father of Rainn Wilson, thus Rainn Wilson has no reason to assist him. RAW is my dad, though, and my brother Graham and I are incredibly grateful for the tremendous loving support that our family has received from Bob’s fans. It is allowing us to care for him in the way he should be cared for, at home, surrounded with love and excellent care. Without your help, we could not do this. Blessings to all, love always, Christina

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