Boston in the Golden Age of Spiritualism: Seances, Mediums & Immortality

By Dee Morris

Spiritualism flourished in Boston from the first rumblings of the Civil War until the early twentieth century. Numerous clairvoyants claimed to bring messages from beyond the grave at seances and public meetings. Motives for belief were varied. Wealthy John Wetherbee sought business advice through supernatural means. Psychic Fannie Conant attributed her restored health to spirit intervention. Grieving theater manager Isaac B. Rich wanted to contact his deceased wife. While many earnestly believed in the movement, there were those who took advantage of naive Bostonians. Determined to expose charlatans, world-renowned magician Harry Houdini declared the famous medium and Bostonian Mina "Margery" Crandon a fake. Join author Dee Morris as she navigates the complex history of Boston's spiritualist movement.

• Language: English
• Publisher: The History Press
• Release date: Sep 9, 2014
• ISBN: 9781625851192

Dee Morris

Dee Morris is an independent scholar and educational consultant specializing in the nineteenth-century history of Greater Boston. She presents walking tours at Forest Hills Cemetery (Jamaica Plain) and programs at libraries, schools and historical societies. Her goal is to connect people with their civic ancestors.