Alan Gauld was a Retired Reader in Psychology of Nottingham University, he was also President of the Society for Psychical Research from 1889 until 1992. His works as an author include: The Founders of Psychical Research (1978); A History of Hypnotism (1992). His works as an editor include: Poltergeists co-edited with Tony Cornell (1979); Human Action and its Psychological Investigation co-edited with John Shotter (1980).