Andy Roberts - Divine Rascal: From The Man Who Turned On The World

Michael Hollingshead, the man credited with introducing Timothy Leary to LSD, is profiled as a complex and enigmatic figure in psychedelic history. Born Michael John Shinkfield, he lived as a globe-trotting trickster who occupied a central role in popularizing psychedelics during the mid-20th century. While some viewed him as a genius or a spiritual catalyst, others labeled him a charlatan or a police informant. He was, above all, a key agent who shaped the trajectory of LSD use in both Britain and the United States. His early life was anchored in a difficult upbringing in a mining town, which fueled a restless, unconventional spirit. Later, his influence grew through his orchestration of the World Psychedelic Center in London and his associations with cultural luminaries. This talk details his life through, and conflict with, historical figures while deconstructing the myths surrounding his actions. Roberts presents archival evidence, such as medical correspondence, to separate the verified facts of Hollingshead's life from his carefully constructed persona.