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Alfred Matthew Hubbard

1901 – 1982

Psychedelic drug researcher

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About Alfred Matthew Hubbard

Lived 1901 – 1982 (aged 81). Alfred Matthew Hubbard was an American scientist.

Alfred Matthew Hubbard (July 24, 1901 – August 31, 1982), was an early proponent for the drug LSD during the 1950s. He is reputed to have been the "Johnny Appleseed of LSD" and the first person to emphasize LSD's potential as a visionary or transcendental drug.

Career In 1920, Hubbard was publicized in West Coast newspapers as having developed a free energy motor, though a Popular Science article published in 1928 referred to it as a hoax. In 1929, he received for a radioactive "Internal Combustion Engine Spark Plug" device, which was manufactured sparingly by at least one U.S. company. It used an electrode doped with polonium 210, a radioactive isotope with a half-life of 138 days. The supposed "ionizing effect"

Motion was said to be among Hubbard's passions. His identity as "Captain" came from his Master of Sea Vessels certification and a stint in the US Merchant Marine.

According to some accounts, Hubbard worked at various times for the Canadian Special Services, the United States Justice Department, the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Office of Strategic Services, or OSS (predecessor of the US Central Intelligence Agency). Stolaroff learned of Hubbard through a mentor, philosopher Gerald Heard, a friend and spiritual mentor to Aldous Huxley.

Hubbard disagreed so strongly with Timothy Leary's antics concerning psychedelics that he is said to have contemplated shooting him.

According to Todd Brendan Fahey, Hubbard introduced more than 6,000 people to LSD, including scientists, politicians, intelligence officials, diplomats, and church figures.

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Important facts

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People in Alfred Matthew Hubbard's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

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Frequently asked questions

Who was Alfred Matthew Hubbard?

Psychedelic drug researcher

When was Alfred Matthew Hubbard born?

Alfred Matthew Hubbard was born on 24 July 1901 in Kentucky.

When did Alfred Matthew Hubbard die?

Alfred Matthew Hubbard died on 31 August 1982.

What was Alfred Matthew Hubbard's occupation?

Alfred Matthew Hubbard was a scientist.

What nationality was Alfred Matthew Hubbard?

Alfred Matthew Hubbard was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Alfred Matthew Hubbard

· Wikidata: Q4723138

· DBpedia: Alfred Matthew Hubbard

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Alfred Matthew Hubbard. https://biography.guide/alfred-matthew-hubbard/

MLA: "Alfred Matthew Hubbard." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/alfred-matthew-hubbard/.

Chicago: "Alfred Matthew Hubbard." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/alfred-matthew-hubbard/.

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