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Humans have communicated with the afterlife for hundreds of years. Some philosophers and theologians suggest that Christ was a medium of his time. Throughout history, mystics and seers have claimed to be able to access the spirits and souls of people who have passed from this world.
The most well-known medium, in the purest sense of the word, was Emanuel Swedenborg, who lived in the 1700s. His work in communicating with the spirit world remains important to this day. His research and experiences are still believed to be some of the finest in history, and his books continue to sell worldwide. These books are essential reads for anyone interested in the history of mediumship.
The 19th century saw a surge in the popularity of communicating with the spirits of the deceased, which became a prevalent social activity. This was mainly due to the creation of Spiritualism, a religion that emerged from the events in a Hydesville cottage in 1848, known as the rappings. Spiritualists became the ‘umbrella’ name for people following this interest as part of the newly formed Spiritualist movement.
In this series, some of the most excellent mediums of modern-day spiritualism will be briefly presented to you. The mediums included are in no particular order of abilities. Each of these mediums contributed uniquely to the spiritualist movement, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire both believers and researchers in parapsychology and psychical research. Their impact on spiritualism and the broader cultural and religious landscape of the world of spirit communication.
10 PIONEERS OF MEDIUMSHIP
ARTHUR FORD
1896 - 1971
Arthur Ford (born in the USA) was one of the most renowned mediums of the 20th century, known for his trance mediumship and his role in revealing the controversial "Houdini Code."
Ford communicated with spirits while in a trance state, where his spirit guide, Fletcher, would relay messages from the deceased.
His most famous case involved the widow of Harry Houdini, Bess Houdini, who sought to establish contact with her late husband. After Houdini’s death in 1926, Bess Houdini organized séances to test whether Houdini could communicate from beyond the grave, as he had promised before his death. In 1929, during a séance conducted by Ford, Bess believed she received a coded message that only she and Houdini knew. This event catapulted Ford to international fame.
EILEEN GARRETT
1893 - 1970
Irish-born Eileen Garrett is considered one of the most scientifically tested mediums of the 20th century. Unlike many of her contemporaries, Garrett actively sought out scientific validation of her abilities. She worked extensively with parapsychologists and participated in numerous experiments designed to test her claims. Garrett claimed that her spirit guide, "Uvani," facilitated communication between her and the deceased.
Garrett’s most famous case involved the 1930 crash of the British airship R101. During a séance, she purportedly contacted the spirit of Herbert Carmichael Irwin, the ship's captain, who allegedly provided detailed information about the causes of the crash. The accuracy of this information, which was unknown to the public at the time, impressed many researchers.
Garrett later founded the Parapsychology Foundation in 1951, an organization dedicated to the scientific study of psychic phenomena, which remains active today. Her work bridged the gap between spiritualism and science, making her a pivotal figure in the 20th-century exploration of mediumship.
LESLIE FLINT
1911 - 1994
Leslie Flint was one of the most famous direct voice mediums of the 20th century. Unlike other mediums who relied on trance states or physical manifestations, with Flint, spirits spoke directly through an ectoplasmic voice box, allowing them to communicate audibly in their own voices. This phenomenon is known as "direct voice mediumship".
Flint's séances were often held in complete darkness, and attendees reported hearing voices that were purportedly those of deceased individuals, including famous figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Oscar Wilde. These voices were said to retain the unique vocal characteristics of the individuals when they were alive.
Despite skepticism and accusations of fraud, Flint maintained a large following and conducted séances until his death in 1994. His mediumship remains one of the most intriguing and debated aspects of 20th-century spiritualism.
LEONORA PIPER
1857 - 1950
Although her most active years were in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Leonora Piper's influence extended well into the 20th century, making her a central figure in the history of mediumship. Piper was an American trance medium whose abilities were rigorously tested by prominent researchers of the time, including William James, one of the founders of American psychology.
Piper's séances were characterised by her entering a trance state, during which she purportedly communicated with spirits through various spirit guides, such as "Phinuit," a French doctor. Unlike many mediums, Piper's claims were subjected to stringent scientific investigation by the Society for Psychical Research (SPR). The SPR's investigations, particularly those of Richard Hodgson, provided some of the most compelling evidence for genuine mediumistic phenomena during that era.
Piper's mediumship contributed significantly to the credibility of spiritualism, particularly in the United States, where spiritualism was often dismissed as fraudulent. Her case remains one of the most studied and debated in the history of psychical research.
ESTELLE ROBERTS
1889 - 1970
Estelle Roberts was a British medium who became one of the most influential figures in British spiritualism during the 20th century. Roberts communicated with spirits both clairvoyantly and clairaudiently, and she was particularly noted for her public demonstrations, which drew large audiences.
Roberts’ most famous spirit guide was "Red Cloud," an American Indian chief, who provided her with wisdom and guidance. Her mediumship was taken seriously enough to attract the attention of prominent individuals, including Prime Minister Winston Churchill, who reportedly attended her séances.
Roberts played a key role in the establishment of the Spiritualist National Union (SNU) and was a staunch advocate for the recognition of spiritualism as a legitimate religion in the UK. Her work helped to elevate the status of spiritualism in Britain and ensured that it remained a significant spiritual movement throughout the 20th century.
EDGAR CAYCE
1877 - 1945
Known as the "Sleeping Prophet," Edgar Cayce is one of the most famous American mediums of the 20th century. Cayce’s mediumship took the form of clairvoyant readings, which he conducted while in a self-induced trance. Unlike other mediums who primarily communicated with spirits, Cayce’s readings often provided medical diagnoses, spiritual guidance, and prophecies.
Cayce claimed to access the Akashic Records, a metaphysical compendium of all human knowledge, during his trances. His readings covered a wide range of topics, from health remedies to the future of humanity. Cayce’s legacy includes the founding of the Association for Research and Enlightenment (A.R.E.) in Virginia Beach, which continues to study and promote his teachings.
Cayce’s work has had a lasting impact on the New Age movement, and his readings continue to be the subject of study and fascination for many. His unique approach to mediumship, blending spirituality with holistic health, distinguishes him as one of the most influential mediums of the 20th century.
HELEN DUNCAN
1897 - 1956
Helen Duncan was one of the last people to be convicted under the British Witchcraft Act of 1735, primarily due to her mediumship practices. Duncan was a physical medium who produced physical manifestations of spirits through ectoplasm.
Duncan's séances often featured dramatic manifestations, including the appearance of full-bodied spirit forms. Her most famous case occurred during World War II when she revealed the sinking of the HMS Barham before the British government had made the information public. This incident led to her arrest and trial, during which she was convicted of fraudulent mediumship.
Despite her legal troubles, Duncan remained a beloved figure among spiritualists, who saw her as a martyr for their cause. Her conviction under the Witchcraft Act is often cited as a key event in the history of spiritualism, underscoring the tensions between spiritualist practices and mainstream society.
GERALDINE CUMMINS
1890 – 1969
Geraldine Cummins was an Irish medium and author known for her automatic writing, a form of mediumship where the medium writes messages purportedly dictated by spirits. Cummins’ writings often explored themes of life after death and spiritual evolution, and she claimed to have channelled texts from various historical figures, including the Apostle Paul and St. Stephen.
One of Cummins' most famous works is "The Swan on a Black Sea," which she claimed to have received from the spirit of Winifred Coombe Tennant, a prominent figure in British spiritualism. This work provides detailed descriptions of the afterlife and has been regarded as one of the most compelling accounts of mediumship literature.
Cummins' contributions to spiritualism were significant in that they provided a rich, literary approach to mediumship. Her writings have been influential in both spiritualist and literary circles, making her one of the more intellectually recognised mediums of the 20th century.
DANIEL DOUGLAS HOME
1833 – 1886
Though his most active years were in the 19th century, Daniel Douglas Home's influence extended well into the 20th century. Home was a physical medium known for his séances, during which he purportedly levitated, moved objects without touching them, and even handled hot coals without injury. His mediumship was studied by scientists and sceptics alike, who often left his séances convinced of his abilities.
Home’s séances, a testament to his extraordinary abilities, were attended by a diverse array of prominent figures of his time, including Emperor Napoleon III and the poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning. He never accepted money for his mediumship, which further enhanced his reputation as a genuine medium. His legacy persisted into the 20th century as his séances continued to be discussed and analysed by spiritualists and researchers.
Home remains one of the most famous and controversial mediums in the history of spiritualism. Many of his feats are still unexplained by modern science.
MINA CRANDON
1888 – 1941
Minna Crandon, known as "Margery," was a famous American physical medium whose séances were central to a significant scientific investigation in the 1920s. Crandon's mediumship was
notable for the physical phenomena she produced, such as levitation, object movements, and the materialisation of ectoplasm.
Her séances were often attended by members of the Scientific American Committee, a testament to the scientific community's interest in her work. The committee offered a cash prize for proof of genuine psychic phenomena. Crandon’s séances, however, became highly controversial, as investigators were divided on whether her phenomena were genuine or fraudulent. Despite the controversy, Crandon was one of the most famous mediums of her time, and her séances attracted significant attention from both the public and the scientific community.
