The Oxford Phasmatological Society was an organisation from Oxford that investigated paranormal phenomena. It lasted from 1879-1885.[1] It is considered to have been the first psychical research society.[2]
It was founded by Edward Ridley and F. C. S. Schiller, with Charles Oman, who served as one of its four presidents.[2][3][4] Arthur Headlam also served as president.[5] Similarly to the Society for Psychical Research formed in 1882, it collected and investigated reports of ghosts, hauntings, and psychic phenomena.[6]
Meetings were held in the rooms of Schiller at Balliol College.[5]
Publications
edit- Selections from the Papers of the Phasmatological Society (1882)
References
edit- ^ Oppenheim, Janet. (2002).The Other World: Spiritualism and Psychical Research in England, 1850-1914. Cambridge University Press. p. 123. ISBN 978-0521347679
- ^ a b Haileybury Register, 1862-1887. Edited by L. S. Milford, M. A. Hertford: Stephen Austin and Sons, 1887. p. 58
- ^ Samuel, Lawrence R. (2011). Supernatural America: A Cultural History. Praeger. p. 27. ISBN 978-0-313-39899-5
- ^ Schlossberg, Herbert. (2009). Conflict and Crisis in the Religious Life of Late Victorian England. Transaction Publishers. p. 271. ISBN 978-1-4128-1027-2
- ^ a b Anonymous. (1885). The Phasmatological Society. The Oxford Magazine. p. 258
- ^ Hearnshaw, Leslie Spencer. (1964). A Short History of British Psychology: 1840-1940. Barnes & Noble. p. 158
Further reading
edit- Charles Oman. (1946). The Old Oxford Phasmatological Society. Journal of Society for Psychical Research 33: 208-216.