The History of Spiritualism, Volume 1

The History of Spiritualism, Vol. 1 is the first of Arthur Conan Doyle's two-volume comprehensive chronicle of the modern spiritualist movement. In this volume, Doyle traces the movement's 19th-century origins, beginning with the famous Fox Sisters of 1848, who sparked American spirit communication with their "rappings". He covers influential early figures and events in America and Europe: spirit mediums like D. D. Home and Eusapia Palladino, the spread of séance phenomena, and the philosophical foundations laid by pioneers such as Andrew Jackson Davis. Doyle writes with a scholar's detail and a believer's passion, recounting numerous séance accounts, spirit materializations, and even the challenges faced, like exposures of fraud and skeptical opposition. He frames spiritualism's rise against the backdrop of Victorian society, arguing that the movement answered a deep yearning for proof of immortality. The volume is rich with anecdotes (table-turning parlors, famous converts like scientist Sir William Crookes investigating mediums, etc.) and dozens of biographies of mediums and spiritists. Doyle's thesis is that despite setbacks, an undeniable thread of genuine phenomena ran through these decades. Volume 1 ends around the late 19th century, setting the stage for volume 2, and leaves readers with the sense of a grand spiritual revelation unfolding through history.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859–1930) was a Scottish author, physician, and spiritualist best known for creating the legendary detective Sherlock Holmes. Born in Edinburgh, he studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh, where his storytelling talent began to emerge alongside his scientific education. Though initially practicing as a doctor, Doyle turned to writing to support himself, eventually achieving worldwide fame with the publication of A Study in Scarlet in 1887. Beyond detective fiction, he explored historical novels, science fiction, and supernatural themes, notably in the Professor Challenger series. A passionate advocate for justice, he was involved in several real-life legal investigations. In his later years, Doyle became deeply involved in spiritualism, dedicating much of his time and writings to life after death. His legacy endures as one of the most influential figures in literary history.