Origins & Early Life

Ronald David Laing (7 October 1927 – 23 August 1989) was a Scottish psychiatrist who wrote extensively on mental illness, particularly psychosis and schizophrenia. Politically, Laing was regarded as a thinker of the New Left. He has been theatrically portrayed by Mike Maran, Alan Cox, Billy Mack, and David Tennant in the 2017 film Mad to Be Normal. Laing's views on the causes and treatment of psychopathological phenomena were influenced by his study of existential philosophy and ran counter to the chemical and electroshock methods that had become psychiatric orthodoxy.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Laing took the expressed feelings of the individual patient or client as valid descriptions of personal experience rather than simply as symptoms of mental illness. Although associated in the public mind with the anti-psychiatry movement, he rejected the label. Laing regarded schizophrenia as the normal psychological adjustment to a dysfunctional social context. Laing was born in the Govanhill district of Glasgow on 7 October 1927, the only child of civil engineer David Park MacNair Laing and Amelia Glen Laing (née Kirkwood). Laing described his parents, particularly his mother, as being somewhat anti...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Abdul Basit 'Abd us-Samad — Contemporary (Born in 1927) (1927): Renowned Egyptian Quran reciter, celebrated for his melodious and emotionally engaging style.
• Al Martino — Contemporary (Born in 1927) (1927): Iconic Italian-American crooner, celebrated for standards and his role in The Godfather.
• Albert Uderzo — Contemporary (Born in 1927) (1927): Pioneering French comic artist, co-creator of the iconic Astérix series.
• A. J. Ayer — Contemporary (Died in 1989) (1989): Influential English philosopher known for logical positivism and emotivism.
• Adnan Khayr Allah — Contemporary (Died in 1989) (1989): Iraqi military officer and Minister of Defense, closely associated with the Ba'ath regime.
• Adrien Broner — Contemporary (Born in 1989) (1989): American former professional boxer known for winning world titles across multiple weight classes.
• Abd al-Rahman ibn Abd Allah al-Ghafiqi — Shared historical date (10-07 · Died) (732): Umayyad commander who led Andalusian forces against the Franks, dying at Tours.
• Agnes de Mille — Shared historical date (10-07 · Died) (1993): Pioneering American choreographer known for blending ballet with modern dance.
• Abu Bakr — Shared historical date (08-23 · Died) (634): First Rashidun Caliph and esteemed companion of the Prophet Muhammad.
• Adolf Loos — Shared historical date (08-23 · Died) (1933): Pioneering architect and theorist of modernism, known for his critique of ornamentation.
• 1927 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1927
• October 7 (10-07) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on October 7
• 1989 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1989
• August 23 (08-23) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on August 23