Nicol, J(ohn) Fraser (d. 1989)

Parapsychologist born in Edinburgh, Scotland. He was educated at Heriot's School, Edinburgh, and Heriot-Watt College, Edinburgh University. Quite early in his life he became a research member of the Society for Psychical Research, London (1934-51); he also became a member of its council (1948-1957). Then in 1951 he moved to the United States to spend a year as a research associate at the Parapsychology Laboratory, Duke University, where he met his future wife (known after her marriage as Betty Nicol). They worked together for many years, funded in part by grants from the Rockefellar Foundation, the American Society for Psychical Research, and the Parapsychology Foundation.

Among Nicol's early research projects carried out with his future wife—they were married in 1955—was on the personality components of psyhically aware people. Besides his numerous articles, many written with his wife, Nicol is also remembered as a historian of psychical research, about which he authored several important articles.

Sources:

Berger, Arthur S., and Joyce Berger. The Encyclopedia of Parapsychology and Psychical Research. New York: Paragon House, 1991.

Gilbert, Mostyn. "J. Fraser Nicol: An Appreciation of His Dedication to Psychical Research." Journal of the Society for Psychical Research 56, no. 818 (January 1990).

Nicol, J. Fraser. "The Founders of the Society for Psychical Research." Proceedings of the Society for Psychical Research 55 (1972).

——. "The Fox Sisters and the Development of Spiritualism." Journal of the Society for Psychical Research 34 (1948).

——. "The Silences of Mr. Trevor Hall." International Journal of Parapsychology 1, no. 1 (1966).

Pleasants, Helene, ed. Biographical Dictionary of Parapsychology. New York: Helix Press, 1964.