Daniel Cohen

Daniel Cohen was an American author, best known for his extensive work, often for young audiences, on subjects such as UFOs, ghosts, psychic phenomena, and cryptozoology. Despite a background as a self-described skeptic and former member of CSICOP, Cohen approached these often mysterious topics with an open-minded, though still critical, perspective. His prolific writing career spanned nearly 200 books on a wide array of subjects, including science, history, and advice for teenagers.

Beyond his literary contributions, Cohen and his wife, Susan, became prominent activists following the tragic death of their daughter, Theodora, in the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. They channeled their grief into advocacy, seeking justice for the victims and writing a book detailing their experiences. Cohen's work, particularly "Curses, Hexes and Spells," also faced controversy, appearing on banned book lists, which he viewed as an issue of censorship.

Daniel Cohen developed a significant body of work exploring paranormal subjects, including UFOs, ghosts, psychic phenomena, and cryptozoology. While he maintained a skeptical outlook and had been associated with organizations like CSICOP, his books often presented these topics in an accessible and open-minded manner, particularly for younger readers. Despite his deep interest and extensive research, which involved visiting purportedly haunted locations and attending séances, Cohen admitted to never having personally encountered supernatural evidence. He approached the UFO phenomenon similarly, acknowledging a lack of definitive proof but arguing that it did not constitute absolute disproof.

The life of Daniel Cohen and his wife, Susan, was profoundly altered by the death of their daughter, Theodora, who was among the 269 victims of the Pan Am Flight 103 bombing. The couple became leading advocates for the victims' families, dedicating significant effort to seeking justice and accountability. This personal tragedy was chronicled in their book, "Pan Am 103: The Bombing, the Betrayals, and a Bereaved Family's Search for Justice." They were vocal in their criticisms of various entities, including Pan Am, the US and British governments, and Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. Their outspokenness and emotional response to the event were highlighted in the documentary "Since: The Bombing of Pan Am Flight 103."

Cohen was a prolific author, with his bibliography including nearly 200 books covering a diverse range of subjects from biographies and history to science and popular culture. His book "Curses, Hexes and Spells" (1974) generated controversy, leading to its inclusion on banned book lists due to its content related to magic and witchcraft. Cohen responded to such challenges by framing them as acts of censorship, asserting that while parents could guide their own children's reading, prohibiting others from accessing a book was unacceptable.