Alfred Paul Seckel was an American author, collector, and prominent popularizer of visual and sensory illusions. Born in 1958, Seckel dedicated a significant portion of his career to exploring the mechanics of human perception, writing and compiling several books that illustrated and explained optical illusions for a general audience.
During the 1980s, Seckel was also highly active in the Freethought and scientific skepticism movements. He served as the co-founder and executive director of the Southern California Skeptics, an organization dedicated to promoting critical thinking and investigating paranormal claims. Through this work, he established himself as a notable figure in the regional skeptical community of the era.
In his later years, Seckel's career became overshadowed by controversies regarding his professional credentials. Media coverage, particularly surrounding his association with Jeffrey Epstein—for whom Seckel provided reputation management services in 2010—highlighted significant misrepresentations of his academic background and qualifications. Seckel spent his final years in Europe and died in France in 2015.
