Mind-Benders of Buddhist History
An English-born writer became a leading voice of Zen in the West
Alan Watts was born in Chislehurst, England, in 1915 and never trained as a monk in Asia; earlier in life he had even been ordained an Episcopal priest. His 1957 book 'The Way of Zen,' written when he was about 42, became one of the most widely read English-language introductions to the subject.
How we know
Alan Watts: born Chislehurst, Kent, England, 6 Jan 1915; ordained Episcopal priest 1945 (age 30); 'The Way of Zen' published 1957 (age 42); died 16 Nov 1973. (Wikipedia; Britannica)
One of many fact-checked wonders across eight traditions at The Spring of Wisdom.