A Psychic Body

In this chapter, I examine William Crookes’ further investigations into the nature of spiritualist phenomena, focusing on the career of the medium Florence Cook. Cook appeared to demonstrate some extraordinary powers in the séance room. The documentation of these powers led to some scientists questioning Crookes’ abilities as an examiner, and to a dispute between Crookes and the sceptic W B Carpenter. This dispute fundamentally called into question the legitimacy of enquiries into mysterious and occult forces.