Stanton Friedman
Stanton Terry Friedman (July 29, 1934 – May 13, 2019) was a nuclear physicist and one of the most prominent UFO researchers of the 20th century. A leading proponent of the extraterrestrial hypothesis, Friedman was best known for his investigation into the Roswell incident and his role in bringing the story back into the public eye in the late 1970s.
Scientific Background
Friedman held a degree in nuclear physics from the University of Chicago and worked on classified projects for companies like General Electric, Westinghouse, and McDonnell Douglas. He later left the industry to pursue full-time UFO research and lecturing.
Unlike many ufologists of his era, Friedman combined scientific reasoning with open belief in the reality of extraterrestrial visitation. He referred to the scientific community’s dismissal of UFOs as a "cosmic Watergate."
Key Research
Stanton Friedman authored and co-authored several influential books, including:
- Crash at Corona
- Top Secret/Majic
- Captured! The Betty and Barney Hill UFO Experience
He was a leading advocate for the authenticity of the **Majestic 12** documents and a relentless critic of debunkers who dismissed the UFO phenomenon without investigation.
Involvement with AboveTopSecret.com
Friedman was one of the most respected figures to participate on AboveTopSecret.com, often joining discussions or being the topic of major threads. He appeared as a guest in **Ask Me Anything (AMA)** threads, where he answered questions from users regarding his Roswell research, views on government cover-ups, and skepticism toward some other researchers such as Bob Lazar.
Highlights of Friedman’s ATS involvement include:
- Detailed posts about the MJ-12 documents and why he believed them to be real.
- Candid discussions on his disagreements with other UFO figures.
- Insight into the flaws of mainstream science’s approach to UFOs.
- Emphasis on investigation, documentation, and credential-based analysis.
Friedman’s polite and professional tone, even when challenging popular beliefs, earned him the respect of users across the ideological spectrum. His interactions represented one of the high-water marks of ATS’s credibility as a research and discussion platform.
Death and Legacy
Stanton Friedman died in 2019 at the age of 84. He left behind a massive legacy in the field of ufology and is often cited as one of the most credible and scientifically grounded researchers in the field. His appearances on ATS are still referenced and preserved in the site's archives.