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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 largely 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 20th century is undeniable.
10 PIONEERS OF MEDIUMSHIP
THE FOX SISTERS
March 1848
The Fox Sisters—Leah, Margaret, and Kate Fox—are central figures in the rise of Spiritualism, a 19th-century movement focused on communicating with the dead. Their story began in 1848 in Hydesville, New York, when Kate and Margaret, teenagers at the time, heard mysterious "rappings" or knocking sounds in their home. These noises were interpreted as messages from the spirits of the deceased.
News of the phenomenon spread quickly, and the sisters became famous for conducting séances in which they communicated with spirits through a series of knocks.
The sisters' activities helped launch the Spiritualist movement, which became popular in the U.S. and Europe during the mid-1800s. The movement attracted followers who believed in the possibility of contacting the dead.
News of the phenomenon spread quickly, and the sisters became famous for conducting séances in which they communicated with spirits through a series of knocks.
The sisters' activities helped launch the Spiritualist movement, which became popular in the U.S. and Europe during the mid-1800s. The movement attracted followers who believed in the possibility of contacting the dead.
GORDON HIGGINSON
1918 - 1993
Gordon Higginson, born in England, was one of the most respected and well-known mediums of the 20th century. His career spanned over six decades, during which he was renowned for his remarkable abilities in clairvoyance, physical mediumship, and public demonstrations of mediumship.
Higginson's life was deeply intertwined with the Spiritualist movement; he served as the president of the Spiritualists' National Union (SNU) for many years and was instrumental in the development of Stansted Hall, the SNU's college for the training of mediums.
Higginson was often described as a "medium's medium" because of his exceptional accuracy and the integrity with which he approached his work. He was known for delivering messages with precise details that were often unknown to anyone but the recipient. Higginson’s legacy lives on in the many students he mentored and the standards he set for mediumship practice.
Higginson's life was deeply intertwined with the Spiritualist movement; he served as the president of the Spiritualists' National Union (SNU) for many years and was instrumental in the development of Stansted Hall, the SNU's college for the training of mediums.
Higginson was often described as a "medium's medium" because of his exceptional accuracy and the integrity with which he approached his work. He was known for delivering messages with precise details that were often unknown to anyone but the recipient. Higginson’s legacy lives on in the many students he mentored and the standards he set for mediumship practice.
NAN MACKENZIE
1923 - 2006
Nan McKenzie was a prominent spiritualist, healer, and medium born in the United Kingdom in 1923, who dedicated her life to serving others through her spiritual gifts until her passing in 2006. She recognized her spiritual abilities at a young age and developed them into a respected practice, believing her talents were a divine calling to help those in need. Throughout her career, Nan was known for her accuracy and compassion, often delivering messages from the spirit world that provided comfort and closure to grieving individuals. Her commitment extended beyond mediumship; she was passionate about teaching others to harness their own psychic abilities and worked extensively with trauma survivors, using her gifts to facilitate emotional healing.
For over sixty years Nan worked tirelessly in conjunction with 'Running Water', her spirit control, helping thousands of people to be healed.
For over sixty years Nan worked tirelessly in conjunction with 'Running Water', her spirit control, helping thousands of people to be healed.
ANDREW JACKSON DAVIS
1826 - 1910
Andrew Jackson Davis is regarded as the Spiritualism movement's intellectual and philosophical backbone. Born in 1826 in New York, Davis was a self-taught scholar and clairvoyant who became known as the "Poughkeepsie Seer."
His most famous work, "The Principles of Nature, Her Divine Revelations, and a Voice to Mankind", published in 1847, laid out a detailed cosmology that combined elements of Mesmerism, Swedenborgianism, and transcendentalism.
Davis claimed that his writings were dictated to him by spiritual beings while he was in a trance. His ideas helped shape the intellectual underpinnings of Spiritualism, promoting a worldview that integrated science, religion, and philosophy. He also advocated for social reform, including women's rights and the abolition of slavery, aligning Spiritualism with progressive causes of the time.
His most famous work, "The Principles of Nature, Her Divine Revelations, and a Voice to Mankind", published in 1847, laid out a detailed cosmology that combined elements of Mesmerism, Swedenborgianism, and transcendentalism.
Davis claimed that his writings were dictated to him by spiritual beings while he was in a trance. His ideas helped shape the intellectual underpinnings of Spiritualism, promoting a worldview that integrated science, religion, and philosophy. He also advocated for social reform, including women's rights and the abolition of slavery, aligning Spiritualism with progressive causes of the time.
DORIS STOKES
1920 - 1987
Doris Stokes, from Grantham, Lincolnshire, was a prominent British medium and spiritualist from her childhood. Stokes gained fame in the 1980s through television appearances." She was the first medium to perform at the prestigious London Palladium, where her shows sold out rapidly. She also achieved success in Australia, notably at the Sydney Opera House.
Her autobiography, Voices in My Ear, published in 1980, solidified her public standing, selling over two million copies.
Throughout her life, Stokes faced significant health challenges, undergoing numerous surgeries, including a mastectomy and operations for cancer. She passed away in 1987, following surgery for a brain tumour.
Her autobiography, Voices in My Ear, published in 1980, solidified her public standing, selling over two million copies.
Throughout her life, Stokes faced significant health challenges, undergoing numerous surgeries, including a mastectomy and operations for cancer. She passed away in 1987, following surgery for a brain tumour.
MAURICE BARBANELL
1902 - 1981
Maurice started his spiritualist journey as an investigative atheist, disbelieving the possibility of being able to speak to the dead! He joined a home circle with the medium Mrs. Blaustein, who was controlled by various entities who spoke through her while she was in a state of trance. Barbanell was not very impressed by this phenomenon and at one sitting he "fell asleep." When he awoke he learned to his surprise that he had been in a mediumistic trance himself and that an Indian spirit guide had spoken through him. That spirit were to later acquire the name,'Silver Birch'.
Barbanell served as editor of the Psychic News and The Two Worlds for over three decades. He first became popular abroad after writing 'This is Spiritualism' in 1959.
The words of his connect, 'Silver Birch' were transcribed and published as several books and are still amongst the most popular spiritualist books today.
Barbanell served as editor of the Psychic News and The Two Worlds for over three decades. He first became popular abroad after writing 'This is Spiritualism' in 1959.
The words of his connect, 'Silver Birch' were transcribed and published as several books and are still amongst the most popular spiritualist books today.
CORAL POLGE
1924 - 2001
Coral Polge was a dedicated spirit artist for 54 years. She was able to create portraits of loved ones in the spirit world, providing evidence of that person, often including their names. Coral first learned of her talent during World War Two, after she met with a psychic medium who told her that she would be a famous psychic artist. She is considered one of the most important modern-day spiritual artists, influencing many others in the process.
In 1984, Coral published 'The Living Image' (with Kay Hunter), followed by 'Living Images' in 1991 (also with Kay Hunter). The accuracy of her artwork was incredible. She claimed to feel the subject, rather than to see them. Carol continues to inspire other spirit artists the world over.
In 1984, Coral published 'The Living Image' (with Kay Hunter), followed by 'Living Images' in 1991 (also with Kay Hunter). The accuracy of her artwork was incredible. She claimed to feel the subject, rather than to see them. Carol continues to inspire other spirit artists the world over.
SIR OLIVER LODGE
1851 – 1940
Although Sir Oliver wasn't a medium, his scientific investigations and pioneering work in the field of spirit communications marked an evidential pathway for all mediums. His first experience was when another medium brought through his son from the spirit world with indisputable evidence that set Sir Oliver on his scientific exploration of the after life.
Lodge's work in Electromagnetism proved that there was an ether where a spirit world could exist.
His books are amongst the best for students wanting to understand the science of this phenomena. Although some media believed he was wrong, he persisted with his outstanding research for the remainder of his life and became one of the greatest pioneers for spiritualism.
His books are amongst the best for students wanting to understand the science of this phenomena. Although some media believed he was wrong, he persisted with his outstanding research for the remainder of his life and became one of the greatest pioneers for spiritualism.
FLORENCE COOK
1856 - 1904
Florence Eliza Cook was a medium who often materialised a spirit, "Katie King"., witnessed by Sir William Crookes . The spirit was said to have appeared first between 1871 and 1874 in séances conducted by Florence Cook in London, and later in 1874–1875 in New York
During these times, scepticism was rife and Florence was targeted and accused of being fraudulant. Some claimed the materialised spirit was Florence out of her chair, though Sir William Crookes denied that being possibe.
As with so many great mediums of her time, Florence continued to work her entire life as a medium, often producing staggering materialisations that no sane person could deny.
During these times, scepticism was rife and Florence was targeted and accused of being fraudulant. Some claimed the materialised spirit was Florence out of her chair, though Sir William Crookes denied that being possibe.
As with so many great mediums of her time, Florence continued to work her entire life as a medium, often producing staggering materialisations that no sane person could deny.
GEORGE VALE OWEN
1869 – 1931
George spent his early working life as a clergyman of the Church of England. It was after the death of his mother in 1909 that he became aware of his psychic abilities.
Mr Owen's main method of communicating with the spirit world was by a process of automatic writing. He wrote many books about his new-found life and amongst the most popular were a five volume collection called, 'Life Beyond The Veil'.
As a vicar at a church in Warrington, he often used his mediumship abilities with his always-packed congregation. Unfortunately, his peers reported him and he was removed from the church. His writing has always been considered as some of the most detailed and sincere examples ever inspired.
Mr Owen's main method of communicating with the spirit world was by a process of automatic writing. He wrote many books about his new-found life and amongst the most popular were a five volume collection called, 'Life Beyond The Veil'.
As a vicar at a church in Warrington, he often used his mediumship abilities with his always-packed congregation. Unfortunately, his peers reported him and he was removed from the church. His writing has always been considered as some of the most detailed and sincere examples ever inspired.
