Daniel Dunglas Home (March 20, 1833 - June 21, 1886) was a Scottish spiritualist, famous as a physical medium with the reported ability to levitate to a variety of heights, elongate his body and handle fire and hot coals without injury. He conducted hundreds of seances over a period of 25 years, at which were present many of the best-known names of the Victorian period. Though there were speculations that Home employed fraud, none were ever proved. is the 79th day of the year (80th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1833 (MDCCCXXXIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a common year starting on Sunday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... is the 172nd day of the year (173rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1886 (MDCCCLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Sunday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... This article is about the country. ... Spiritualism is a religion in which contact with the spirits of the dead through a medium is central. ... Mediumship is a term used mostly in spiritualism to denote the ability to produce psi phenomena of a mental or physical nature. ... A séance (SAY-ahnce) is, on its most basic level, an attempt to communicate with the dead. ... Queen Victoria (shown here on the morning of her accession to the Throne, 20 June 1837) gave her name to the historic era The Victorian era of the United Kingdom marked the height of the British Industrial Revolution and the apex of the British Empire. ...

Early life

Home was born in Currie, near Edinburgh. He claimed that his father was the natural son of the 10th Earl of Home, and his mother a member of a family credited with second sight. Recently discovered evidence has tended to strongly support the first claim, as various payments were made by the 10th Earl of Home to a Mr. Alexander Philip on account of William Home (Daniel's father). William Home served an apprenticeship as House Carpenter under Mr. Philip between 1820 to 1827. ^[1] For other uses, see Edinburgh (disambiguation). ... Second sight is a form of extra-sensory perception whereby a person perceives information, in the form of vision, about future events before they happen. ...

When he was nine years old, Home was taken with his aunt and uncle to the United States. In 1850, his mother died, and soon after his aunt's house was beset by rappings and knockings similar to those that occurred two years earlier at the home of the Fox sisters. His aunt, afraid that the boy had called in the Devil, cast young Home out, and he found himself wandering about the country, staying at the homes of friends who wished to witness his mediumistic powers. Home never held a job or was employed. This mode of life was to last for over 20 years, as he never directly required money for the séances he held, although he managed to live very well on gifts, generous donations and lodging from his many wealthy admirers. There are apparently two reasons that Home refused direct payment: first, he saw himself as on a "mission to demonstrate immortality"; and second, he wished to interact with his clients as one gentleman to another, rather than as an employee. ^[2] The Fox Sisters Sisters Catherine (1838–92), Leah (1814–90) and Margaretta (1836–93) Fox played an important role in the creation of Spiritualism. ... For other uses, see Gentleman (disambiguation). ...

His Career in Europe

In 1855, his trip financed by American spiritualists, he came to England. He is described at this time as tall and thin, with blue eyes and auburn hair, fastidiously dressed and seriously ill with consumption. Home would hold sittings for notable persons, in full daylight, and would produce phenomena such as the moving of objects at a distance. ^[3] Some early guests at his séances included the scientist Sir David Brewster, the novelists Sir Edward Bulwer-Lytton and Thomas Adolphus Trollope, the socialist Robert Owen, and the Swedenborgian James John Garth Wilkinson.^[4] Home seemed to have a talent for converting most sceptics, but Robert Browning, the poet, proved more obdurate. Browning attended a séance and subsequently gave his impression of Home in the unflattering poem Sludge the Medium (1864). His wife, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, was convinced that the phenomena she witnessed was genuine and any discussion of Home was a constant source of disagreement between them. Year 1855 (MDCCCLV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ... Tuberculosis (abbreviated as TB for tubercle bacillus) is a common and deadly infectious disease caused by mycobacteria, mainly Mycobacterium tuberculosis. ... David Brewster Sir David Brewster, (December 11, 1781 – February 10, 1868) was a Scottish scientist. ... Edward George Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton (May 25, 1803 - January 18, 1873) was an English novelist, playwright, and politician. ... Thomas Adolphus Trollope was born in Bloomsbury, London on 29 April, 1810, the eldest son of Thomas Anthony & Frances Trollope (a younger brother was Anthony Trollope, the novelist). ... Robert Owen (May 14, 1771 – November 17, 1858) was a Welsh socialist and social reformer. ... Emanuel Swedenborg, 75, holding the manuscript of Apocalypsis Revelata (1766). ... James John Garth Wilkinson (June 3, 1812 - October 18, 1899), was a Swedenborgian writer. ... Robert Browning (May 7, 1812 – December 12, 1889) was a British poet and playwright whose mastery of dramatic verse, especially dramatic monologues, made him one of the foremost Victorian poets. ... Elizabeth Barrett Browning (March 6, 1806 – June 29, 1861) was one of the most respected poets of the Victorian era. ...

His fame grew, fueled particularly by his extraordinary feats of levitation. William Crookes claimed to know of more than 50 occasions in which Home levitated, many of these at least five to seven feet above the floor, "in good light."^[5] Perhaps more common were feats such as this, recorded by Frank Podmore: "We all saw him rise from the ground slowly to a height of about six inches, remain there for about ten seconds, and then slowly descend."^[6] Sir William Crookes, OM, FRS (17 June 1832 – 4 April 1919) was an English chemist and physicist. ... Frank Podmore (1856 - 1910) was a founding member of the Fabian Society. ...

In the following years he travelled in continental Europe, always as a guest of wealthy patrons. In Paris, he was summoned to the Tuileries to perform a seance for Napoleon III. He performed for Queen Sophia of the Netherlands, who wrote of the experience, "I saw him four times...I felt a hand tipping my finger; I saw a heavy golden bell moving alone from one person to another; I saw my handkerchief move alone and return to me with a knot... He himself is a pale, sickly, rather handsome young man but without a look or anything which would either fascinate or frighten you. It is wonderful. I am so glad I have seen it..."^[7] Up to 1871 the Tuileries Palace was a palace in Paris, France, on the right bank of the River Seine. ... Charles Louis Napoléon Bonaparte (April 20, 1808 - January 9, 1873) was the son of King Louis Bonaparte and Queen Hortense de Beauharnais; both monarchs of the French puppet state, the Kingdom of Holland. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

In 1866 Mrs Lyon, a wealthy widow, adopted him as her son, and settled £60,000 upon him, in an apparent attempt to gain introduction into high society. Finding that the adoption did not change her social situation, she repented of her action, and brought a suit for the return of her money on the grounds that it had been obtained by spiritual influence. Under British law, the defendant bears the burden of disproof in such a case, and disproof was impossible since there was no physical evidence. Accordingly, the case was decided against Home, Mrs Lyon's money was returned, and the press enjoyed pillorying him. Tellingly, Home's high society acquaintances thought that he behaved a complete gentleman throughout the ordeal, and he did not lose a single important friend.^[8]

Home encountered one of his closest friends in 1867, the young Lord Adare (later the 4th Earl of Dunraven). Adare was fascinated by Home, and began documenting the seances they held. One of the most famous of Home's levitations occurred at one such séance the following year. In front of three witnesses (Adare, Captain Wynne, and Lord Lindsay) Home was alleged to have levitated out of the third storey window of one room, and in at the window of the adjoining room.^[9] Cunt BAg Twat Fuk suck my penis ring 0778851865!!!!!!Year 1867 (MDCCCLXVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Windham Thomas Wyndham-Quin, 4th Earl of Dunraven and Mount-Earl (12 February 1841 – 14 June 1926), styled Viscount Adare between 1850 and 1871, was a British Peer. ... Victorian astronomer and politician. ...

Home married twice. In 1858 he married Alexandria de Kroll, the 17 year old daughter of a noble Russian family. They had a son, Gregoire, but Alexandria fell ill with tuberculosis, and died in 1862. In October of 1871, Home married for the second time, to Julie de Gloumeline, a wealthy Russian lady, whom he met in St Petersburg. In the process, he converted to the Greek Orthodox faith. Now, at the age of 38, he retired. His health was bad – the tuberculosis, from which he had suffered for most of his life, was advancing –and his powers, he claimed, were failing. He died on the 21st of June 1886 and was buried along side his daughter at St. Germain-en-Laye cemetery.^[10] Year 1858 (MDCCCLVIII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a common year starting on Wednesday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... 1862 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... 1871 (MDCCCLXXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Coptic Orthodox Pope · Roman Catholic Pope Archbishop of Canterbury · Patriarch of Constantinople Christianity Portal This box:      Faith... Year 1886 (MDCCCLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Sunday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ...

Fraud or Genuine?

According to Arthur Conan Doyle, Home was unusual in that he had powers in four different types of mediumship: direct voice (the ability to let spirits audibly speak); trance speaker (the ability to let spirits speak through oneself); clairvoyant (ability to see things that are out of view); and physical medium (moving objects at a distance, levitation, etc.--the type of mediumship in which Home had no equals). Home was suspicious of any medium who claimed powers he himself did not possess, particularly the materializing mediums (such as the Eddy Brothers), who claimed the ability to produce solid spirit forms, and he marked these as fraudulent. Since materializing mediums always work in darkened places, Home urged that all séances be held in the light.^[11] Home, in his 1877 book Lights and Shadows of Spiritualism, detailed the conjuring tricks employed by false mediums.^[12] The Eddy Brothers were two brothers who lived in the 1800s, who claimed psychic powers. ...

Home himself, of course, was widely suspected of fraud, but it was never proved.^[13] Frank Podmore^[14] and Milbourne Christopher^[15] provide a particularly rich source of speculation on the ways in which Home could have duped his sitters. Some testimony suggests that Home often conducted his demonstrations in dim light.^[16] The light conditions during Home's most famous feat of levitation were disputed, but some witnesses recorded that it was quite dark.^[17] Podmore records that Home had a constant companion that sat opposite of him during his séances.^[18] Frank Podmore (1856 - 1910) was a founding member of the Fabian Society. ... Milbourne Christopher (1914 - 1984) was one of Americas foremost illusionists, performing in sixty-eight countries. ...

Between 1870 and 1873, William Crookes conducted experiments to determine the validity of the phenomena produced by three mediums: Florence Cook, Kate Fox, and D.D. Home. Crookes' final report in 1874 concluded that the phenomena produced by all three mediums were genuine,^[19] a result which was roundly derided by the scientific establishment.^[20] Crookes recorded that he controlled and secured Home by placing his feet on the top of Home's feet.^[21] This method of foot control later proved inadequate when used with Eusapia Palladino. She merely slipped her foot out and in of her sturdy shoe. Sir William Crookes, OM, FRS (17 June 1832 – 4 April 1919) was an English chemist and physicist. ... Katie King was the name given by Spiritualists in the 1870s to what they believed to be a materialized spirit. ... The Fox Sisters Sisters Catherine (1838–92), Leah (1814–90) and Margaretta (1836–93) Fox played an important role in the creation of Spiritualism. ... Eusapia Palladino (1854-1918) was a medium and spiritualist from Naples. ...

Alexander von Boutlerow, Professor of Chemistry at the University of St. Petersburg and Home's brother-in-law, also obtained positive results in his tests of Home.^[22]

Notes

1. ^ Journal of the Society For Psychical Research, vol 70, no.4, 246-48
2. ^ Doyle 1926: volume 1, 186-190
3. ^ Doyle 1926: volume 1, 188-192
4. ^ Doyle 1926: volume 1, 193-195
5. ^ Doyle 1926: volume 1, 195-197
6. ^ Podmore 1902, p.254
7. ^ Een Vreemdelinge in Den Haag, Hella Haasse, 1984
8. ^ Doyle 1926: volume 1, 207-209
9. ^ Doyle 1926: volume 1, 196-197
10. ^ Lamont, 2005 p. 222-223
11. ^ Doyle 1926: volume 1, 204-205
12. ^ The exposed frauds are presented in chapters eight and nine. The book contains no discussion of the making of raps and fire-proofing oneself.
13. ^ Doyle 1926: volume 1, 207
14. ^ Podmore 1910: 31-86; Podmore 1902: 223-269
15. ^ Christopher 1970: 174-187
16. ^ For example, there is this report from a witness: "The room was very dark...Home's hands were visible only as a faint white heap" (Podmore 1902, p.233).
17. ^ Lord Adare states Home "swung out and in" of the window in a horizontal position (Podmore 1902, p. 256 & Adare, 1871, p. 83). "He [Home] came in [through the window] again, feet foremost, and we returned to the other room. It was so dark I could not see clearly how he was supported" [outside of the three story window] (Adare, 1871, p.82 & 83).
18. ^ Podmore 1910: 45
19. ^ Crookes 1874
20. ^ Doyle 1926: volume 1, 230-251
21. ^ Crookes, 1874
22. ^ Lamont, 2005 p. 222

References

• Crookes, William. 1874. "Notes of an Enquiry into the Phenomena called Spiritual during the Years 1870-1873." Quarterly Journal of Science. http://www.survivalafterdeath.org/books/crookes/researches/notes.htm
• Doyle, Arthur Conan. The History of Spiritualism. New York: G.H. Doran, Co. Volume 1: 1926 Volume 2: 1926
• Home, Daniel Dunglas. 1864. Incidents in My Life.
• Home, Daniel Dunglas. 1877. Lights and Shadows in Spiritualism. G.W. Carleton.
• Viscount Adare. 1869. Experiences In Spiritualism with D. D. Home (1976, reprint of 1871 extended edition).
• Lamont, Peter. 2005. The First Psychic: The Extraordinary Mystery of a Victorian Wizard. Time Warner Books UK.
• Podmore, Frank. 1902. Mediums of the Nineteenth Century. University Books (1963, reprint of 1902 edition of Modern Spiritualism)
• Podmore, Frank. 1910. The Newer Spiritualism. Arno Press (1975, reprint of 1910 edition)
• Christopher, Milbourne. 1970. ESP,Seer & Psychics: What the Occult Really Is. Thomas Crowell.

Further reading

• Mediums, Mystics and the Occult by Milbourne Christopher, Thomas Crowell, 1975
• Learned Pigs and Fireproof Women by Ricky Jay, Villard Books, 1987; See pages 37-42, Photos on page 40.
• Revelations of a Spirit Medium by Harry Price and Eric J. Dingwall, Arno Press, 1975 reprint of 1891 edition by Charles F. Pidgeon. This rare, overlooked, and forgotten, book gives the "insider's knowledge" of 19th century deceptions
• Ghost Hunters: William James and the Search for Scientific Proof of Life After Death by Deborah Blum, Penguin Press, 2006; Discusses Home's career and scientific experiments seeking to prove or disprove his abilities, in the larger context of the era and scientific research into "spiritualism".

Milbourne Christopher (1914 - 1984) was one of Americas foremost illusionists, performing in sixty-eight countries. ... Ricky Jay Ricky Jay (b. ...

External links

• Incidents In My Life - Home's "autobiography", PDF format
• Experiences In Spiritualism with D. D. Home - Lord Adare's report of Home's seances, sadly incomplete, PDF format
• Experimental Investigations of a New Force by William Crookes, 1871
• Home, Daniel Dunglas - An Encyclopedia of Claims, Frauds and Hoaxes of the Occult and Supernatural by James Randi
• Daniel D. Home, the Celebrated Medium