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Dr Slade the spirit medium
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Dr Slade the spirit medium
The trial of Henry Slade, the medium who was said to communicate with spirits by a slate board. Top sketch shows Mr G. Leis, counsel for the Prosecution and bottom image shows Professor E. Ray Lankester, giving evidence. Slade first practised his spirit communication in America before travelling to England. He gave seances from his lodgings in Russell Square, London. Word spread quickly of his talents and stirred the attention of two professionals, Mr Lankester and Dr Donkin. After two seances Professor Lankester seized the slate and discovered that the slate already had writing on it before it had left the table. Lankester used this as evidence that Slade was a fraud. Henry Slades trial took place at Bow Street court in October 1876
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Media ID 4375632
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10218245
1876 Attention Bottom Communicate Communication Counsel Discovered Donkin Evidence Fraud Gave Giving Lankester Lodgings Medium Practised Professionals Professor Prosecution Quickly Russell Seances Seized Slade Slate Spirit Spirits Spread Talents Travelling Trial Word Leis Stirred
EDITORS COMMENTS
This intriguing photograph captures a pivotal moment in the historical trial of Henry Slade, the spirit medium, at Bow Street Court in October 1876. The top sketch depicts Mr. G. Leis, counsel for the Prosecution, intensely examining the slate board used by Slade during his seances. Below, Professor E. Ray Lankester, a renowned scientist and skeptic, testifies in the courtroom. Henry Slade, a medium who claimed to communicate with spirits through a slate board, first gained notoriety in America before moving to London and setting up shop in Russell Square. Word of his extraordinary abilities quickly spread, drawing the attention of two esteemed professionals, Professor Lankester and Dr. Donkin. During two seances, Professor Lankester seized the slate and made a shocking discovery: the slate already had writing on it before it had left the table. He used this evidence to argue that Slade was a fraud. The trial of Henry Slade became a sensation, with the public eagerly following the proceedings. Slade's seances had been a source of fascination and intrigue, but the discovery of pre-written messages on the slate cast doubt on his authenticity. The trial ended with Slade being found guilty of fraud, marking the end of his career as a spirit medium. This photograph, taken during the trial, provides a glimpse into the past and the intense scrutiny that Slade faced during his time in the spotlight. The top sketch shows Mr. Leis, counsel for the Prosecution, examining the slate board, while the bottom image depicts Professor Lankester, giving his testimony. The trial took place at Bow Street Court in October 1876, and this photograph is a valuable historical record of this fascinating episode in the annals of spiritualism.
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