Studies in Psychical Research

Balanced and inquisitive, an investigation of psychical phenomena of the nineteenth century.

Frank Podmore (Author)

9781108028042, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 19 May 2011

476 pages, 8 b/w illus.
21.6 x 14 x 2.7 cm, 0.6 kg

For most of his life a clerk in the post office, Frank Podmore (1856–1910) was a prolific author on psychical research. As an undergraduate, Podmore became interested in the ideas of spiritualism, and he joined the British National Association of Spiritualists. Eventually disillusioned, Podmore co-founded several organizations: the Progressive Association (in 1882); the Fellowship of the New Life (1883); and, spurred by his desire to see political change, the Fabian Society (1884). Podmore's membership in the Society for Psychical Research influenced his activities and interests, and he spent the next twenty years investigating and writing on psychical phenomena. His second book (of 1897) discusses a range of topics, from spiritualism to poltergeists to telepathy. Podmore seeks to ascertain the truth about psychical phenomena, and this work will be of great interest to scholars interested in the history of science, psychical research, and Victorian scientific and spiritualist movements.

Preface
1. Introductory
2. Spiritualism as a popular movement
3. The physical phenomena of spiritualism
4. Spiritualism and psychical research
5. Poltergeists
6. Madame Blavatsky and theosophy
7. Experimental thought transference
8. Telepathic hallucinations
9. Ghosts
10. Haunted houses
11. Premonitions and previsions
12. Secondary consciousness
13. Impersonation, obsession, clairvoyance
Index.

Subject Areas: History of ideas [JFCX]