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'''Immanuel Velikovsky''' (1895-1979) was a Russian-born American trained [[psychiatrist]] and writer,<ref>[http://diglib.princeton.edu/ead/getEad?id=ark:/88435/v692t621n Immanuel Velikovsky Papers], 1920-1996. At Princeton University</ref> who in the 1950s proposed a radical new interpretation of [[ancient history]] and the evolution of the [[solar system]], based on mythological accounts, ancient traditions and histories, including the [[Bible]] and other religious and sacred texts.<ref>"[http://www.velikovsky.info/Immanuel_Velikovsky Immanuel Velikovsky]" at The Velikovsky Encyclopedia</ref>  His books were runaway best sellers and helped shape public perceptions of ancient history.

'''Immanuel Velikovsky''' (1895-1979) was a Russian-born American trained [[psychiatrist]] and writer,<ref>[http://diglib.princeton.edu/ead/getEad?id=ark:/88435/v692t621n Immanuel Velikovsky Papers], 1920-1996. At Princeton University</ref> who in the 1950s proposed a radical new interpretation of [[ancient history]] and the evolution of the [[solar system]], based on mythological accounts, ancient traditions and histories, including the [[Bible]] and other religious and sacred texts.<ref>"[http://www.velikovsky.info/Immanuel_Velikovsky Immanuel Velikovsky]" at The Velikovsky Encyclopedia</ref>  His books were runaway best sellers and helped shape public perceptions of ancient history.

In particular, he hypothesised that the planet [[Venus]] was ejected from [[Jupiter]] around 1450 BC, and in a comet-like form, careered around the solar system disrupting the orbits of both [[Mars]] and [[Earth]] before settling into its present orbit.<ref>"[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Worlds_in_Collision Worlds in Collision]" at Wikipedia</ref> The resulting cosmic catastrophes, he believed, were described in various ancient and biblical texts, including for example, the parting of the [[Red Sea]] and the Sun standing still. He described these ideas in his best-selling book, ''Worlds in Collision'' (1950)<ref>Velikovsky, Immanuel (1950). ''Worlds in Collision'', Macmillan. ISBN 1-199-84874-3.</ref> To accompany his astronomical theories he devised a new chronology for [[Ancient Egypt]], moving the end of the Middle Kingdom to 1450 BC and making it coincide with the [[Exodus]]. This he described in his book, ''Ages in Chaos'' (1952).<ref>Immanuel Velikovsky, ''Ages in Chaos'', (1952) Doubleday</ref>

In particular, he hypothesised that the planet [[Venus]] was ejected from [[Jupiter]] around 1450 BC, and in a comet-like form, careered around the solar system disrupting the orbits of both [[Mars]] and [[Earth]] before settling into its present orbit.<ref>"[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Worlds_in_Collision Worlds in Collision]" at Wikipedia</ref> The resulting cosmic catastrophes, he believed, were described in various ancient and biblical texts, including for example, the parting of the [[Red Sea]] and the Sun standing still. He described these ideas in his best-selling book, ''Worlds in Collision'' (1950)<ref>Velikovsky, Immanuel (1950). ''Worlds in Collision'', Macmillan. ISBN 1-199-84874-3.</ref> To accompany his astronomical theories he devised a new chronology for [[Ancient Egypt]], moving the end of the Middle Kingdom to 1450 BC and making it coincide with the [[Exodus]]. This he described in his book, ''Ages in Chaos'' (1952).<ref>Immanuel Velikovsky, ''Ages in Chaos'', (1952) Doubleday</ref>

Velikovsky's ideas were met with vigorous criticism, arguing that the science contradicted Velikovsky's findings, re-enforced by the conclusions of a 1974 conference by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, "Velikovsky's Challenge to Science".<ref>Donald W. Goldsmith (Editor), ''Scientists Confront Velikovsky'' (1977), Cornell University Press, ISBN 0801409616, ISBN-13 978-0801409615.</ref> Velikovsky and his supporters disagreed, and the resulting controversy became known as "The Velikovsky Affair", after a book of the same name.<ref>Alfred de Grazia, (Editor) ''[http://www.grazian-archive.com/quantavolution/QUANTAVOL/va_docs/va_1.pdf The Velikovsky Affair]'', 1st ed. 1966, 2nd ed. 1978, with contributions by Ralph Juergens, Livio C. Stecchini, Alfred de Grazia and Immanuel Velikovsky. At the author's Website.</ref>

Velikovsky's ideas were met with vigorous criticism, arguing that the science contradicted Velikovsky's findings, re-enforced by the conclusions of a 1974 conference by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, "Velikovsky's Challenge to Science".<ref>Donald W. Goldsmith (Editor), ''Scientists Confront Velikovsky'' (1977), Cornell University Press, ISBN 0801409616, ISBN-13 978-0801409615.</ref> Velikovsky and his supporters disagreed, and the resulting controversy became known as "The Velikovsky Affair", after a book of the same name.<ref>Alfred de Grazia, (Editor) ''[http://www.grazian-archive.com/quantavolution/QUANTAVOL/va_docs/va_1.pdf The Velikovsky Affair]'', 1st ed. 1966, 2nd ed. 1978, with contributions by Ralph Juergens, Livio C. Stecchini, Alfred de Grazia and Immanuel Velikovsky. At the author's Website.</ref>

A well-reviewed book on Velikovsky's impact on scientists and laymen is ''Beyond Velikovsky: The History of a Public Controversy'' ([[University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign|University of Illinois]] Press, 1999) by [[Henry H. Bauer]].<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=6miMYvJU29QC Google books preview]</ref>

A well-reviewed book on Velikovsky's impact on scientists and laymen is ''Beyond Velikovsky: The History of a Public Controversy'' ([[University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign|University of Illinois]] Press, 1999) by [[Henry H. Bauer]].<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=6miMYvJU29QC Google books preview]</ref>

==References==

==References==