Harry Price, Psychical Researcher
Flamboyant and Unorthodox, He was Very Controversial
Harry Price was a prolific, talented writer, conjuror, engineer, inventor and photographer. He investigated séances and haunted places and founded his own laboratory for the scientific study of psychic phenomena. Although there was controversy, his position in British psychical research’s history was established.
Harry Price, the Man
Although disliked and distrusted by many, he was one of the most influential figures in the early days of psychical research. Price was charismatic, energetic and enthusiastic. He was also viewed as an embarrassment. Much of the resentment was due to the fact that he had no valid scientific training, but was skillful in his work. He wasn’t fooled by fraudulent mediums that plagued psychical research. His success was an insult to the psychical research establishment, especially to those who were duped.
He founded the National Laboratory for Psychical Research due to strained relations with the British Society for Psychic Research, SPR. Most SPR members treated him with attitudes verging on contempt.
Harry Price's Work
Today, many consider his work as ground-breaking. Price pioneered using equipment. He worked at different jobs after high school before meeting and marrying wealthy heiress Constance Mary Knight which allowed him do psychical research full time. His most famous cases include:
- “Spirit Photographer” William Hope: Price exposed him because he used pre-exposed plates in his camera. Price secretly switched the plates the photographer was using with his own as evidence.
- Stella Cranshaw: She was a medium who agreed to allow him to test her mediumistic abilities with witnesses present. The séances were held at the headquarters of the London Spiritualist Alliance. During the first sitting, all discovered Stella had a spirit control, Palma, who communicated with rappings and performed requested tasks. Thermometers, among the instruments Price employed, recorded swift temperature drops in the room’s temperature when Stella produced different types of paranormal phenomena. Price was criticized by fellow magicians for taking Stella’s phenomena seriously and, by the SPR, for being too closely aligned to Spiritualism. The SPR convinced Price that any further séances would be held at its headquarters. There were two sittings before Stella ended her relationship with Price. Their association was rekindled in 1926 and there were nine more séances before she married and stopped the sittings completely.
- Elenore Zugun: Price investigated this case of a Romanian peasant girl, a human agent poltergeist. Phenomena included slapping, biting and pinching and flying objects.
- Rudi Schneider: The medium traveled to England to be tested by Price. The investigator used electronic controls, which indicated the phenomena, including table levitations, ectoplasmic masses, and rappings, were genuine. Six years later, Price retested Rudi. SPR member, Lord Charles Hope had been testing Rudi when Price proclaimed the medium a fraud by taking a photograph of him reaching for a table which destroyed Rudi’s reputation and was an embarrassment to Hope and others who believed Rudi to be genuine.
- Gef: Price investigated the mongoose who talked, as did Nandor Fodor a highly respected psychical researcher. Gef talked, ate food, gossiped and killed rabbits for the Irvin family. Some believed this was a poltergeist and that daughter Voirrey was the agent. Investigation proved otherwise.
- Borley Rectory: This was the hallmark of Price’s career. He leased the house for a year and invited other researchers to join him. Phenomena included hearing bells ring and rappings and objects that had been mysteriously moved. He collected accounts from many witnesses, previous tenants, neighbors and locals who had experiences with the rectory. Price wrote The Most Haunted House in England and The End of Borley Rectory. Both were very popular and gave Price the reputation as one who conducted organized and well-run investigations.
Related articles:
Elenore Zugun: Poltergeist Agent or
Possessed: http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/paranormal_realm/117400
Sources:
The Encyclopedia of Ghosts and Spirits, Rosemary Ellen Guiley, (Facts on File, Inc., 1992)
“Harry Price Investigates,” Richard Morris, Fortean Times, December 2007, #229
Price pioneered using camera in psychical research
|
What do you think about this article?
Latest Articles