A Teacher
William Crookes
An eminent chemist who staked his scientific reputation on testing mediums under laboratory conditions.
The transmission
Sir William Crookes (1832–1919) was a distinguished British chemist and physicist who discovered the element thallium and invented the Crookes radiometer and tube.
From 1870 he turned the methods of experimental science onto Spiritualist phenomena, conducting controversial investigations of mediums including D.
D. Home, Kate Fox, and Florence Cook. His reports, gathered as Researches in the Phenomena of Spiritualism (1874), lent scientific prestige to psychical research and provoked lasting debate. He later served as president of the Society for Psychical Research.
What they gave
Science applied to mediumship: From 1870 turned the methods of experimental science onto Spiritualist phenomena, investigating mediums including D. D. Home, Kate Fox, and Florence Cook.
- Researches in the Phenomena of Spiritualism: Gathered his controversial findings into the 1874 reports that lent scientific prestige to psychical research.
- Eminent-scientist authority: As the chemist who discovered thallium and invented the Crookes radiometer and tube, he staked a celebrated reputation on these inquiries.
- Institutional leadership: Served as president of the Society for Psychical Research.
In their words
Remember, I hazard no hypothesis or theory whatever; I merely vouch for certain facts, my only object being — the truth. Doubt, but do not deny; point out, by the severest criticism, what are considered fallacies in my experimental tests, and suggest more conclusive trials; but do not let us hastily call our senses lying witnesses merely because they testify against preconceptions.
The line they stand in
Taught by / Influenced by: The Fox Sisters, whose rappings launched Spiritualism; the medium Daniel Dunglas Home, a central subject of his tests.
- Taught / Influenced: Frederic W. H. Myers; Arthur Conan Doyle; the physicist Oliver Lodge in the next generation of psychical research.
Revelations they taught
Essential Works
- Researches in the Phenomena of Spiritualism1874