Pioneers of the Spiritual Reformation
Biographical Sketches

The biographies of two pioneers of spiritualism in Germany and England, Justinus Kerner and William Howitt, first published in 1883.

Anna Mary Howitt Watts (Author)

9781108025942, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 27 January 2011

346 pages
21.6 x 14 x 2 cm, 0.44 kg

Anna Mary Howitt Watts (1824–1884) was a painter and writer, and the daughter of William Howitt (1792–1879), one of the subjects of this double biography. Justinus Kerner (1786–1862) was an inspiration to both Howitt and his daughter. A German poet, trained as a doctor, he became famous both as a patron of the arts and an early pioneer of the spiritualist movement. This account of Kerner's life is full of vivid descriptions of ghostly apparitions and supernatural events. Howitt, a popular writer and radical local politician who was raised a Quaker, became increasingly attracted to spiritualism after the deaths of two of his sons. Watts' book, written after her father's death and first published in 1883, is more than a memoir of a beloved parent. As a record of the beliefs of the spiritualists it provides essential information about early Victorian attitudes to this world and beyond.

Preface
Life of Dr. Justinus Kerner: 1. Birth and parentage
2. At college
3. In the Black Forest and in the Welzheim Forest
4. At Weinsberg
5. The last days of Justinus Kerner
6. Kerner's home
7. Specimens from the works on psychology of Dr. Kerner
William Howitt and his Work for Spiritualism: 1. His childhood
2. Early manhood
3. Noon-day of life
4. Pioneer in the gold-fields of the visible and invisible worlds
5. His psychological experiences
6. Further psychological experiences
7. His work for spiritualism
8. Bright sunset of life.

Subject Areas: Religion: general [HRA]