Conan Doyle Resigns From Spiritist Group

From The Arthur Conan Doyle Encyclopedia

Conan Doyle Resigns From Spiritist Group is an article published in the The New-York Times on 19 march 1930.


Conan Doyle Resigns From Spiritist Group

The New-York Times (19 march 1930, p. 11)

Quits Psychical Research Society After 36 Years — Scores Its Work as 'Evil Influence.'

Wireless to The New York Times.

London, March 18. — Sir Arthur Conan Doyle resigned today from the Society for Psychical Research, of which he has been a prominent member for thirty-six years. The creator of Sherlock Holmes, who was one of the first leaders of the English spiritists, objected to a review in the society's journal criticizing the Italian medium, Millesimo.

Writing indignantly to Sir Lawrence Jones, chairman of the Psychic Research Council, Sir Arthur said the society had done "no constructive work for a generation" and that its work was "an evil influence and anti-spiritualist."

This afternoon Sir Lawrence issued a vigorous reply insisting that Sir Arthur's resignation would never turn the society from "the purpose for which it was founded — critical investigation."

The society maintains elaborate headquarters in South Kensington and possesses a remarkable library on occult phenomena.