Harry Price
Harry Price (1881-1948) was a British psychic researcher, author, and self-proclaimed ghost hunter. He is best known for his investigations of alleged hauntings, particularly at Borley Rectory, which he dubbed "the most haunted house in England."
Price gained considerable public attention through his dramatic and often controversial investigations. He employed a mixture of scientific instrumentation and theatrical flair, and his reports were widely publicized in newspapers and magazines. He founded the National Laboratory of Psychical Research in 1926 and the University of London Council for Psychical Investigation in 1934.
Price's methods and findings have been subject to significant scrutiny and skepticism. Critics have accused him of exaggeration, fabrication, and manipulating evidence to support his claims of paranormal activity. His investigation of Borley Rectory, in particular, has been widely debunked, with evidence suggesting that Price himself contributed to the reported phenomena.
Despite the controversy surrounding his work, Harry Price remains a significant figure in the history of psychical research. He popularized the field, brought it to a wider audience, and influenced subsequent generations of paranormal investigators. His books, such as "The Most Haunted House in England" and "Search for Truth," continue to be read and debated.
Key Works:
- Stella C. (1925) - A fictionalized account of a séance.
- Cold Light on Spiritualistic Phenomena (1922)
- Revelations of a Spirit Medium (1922) (as editor)
- An Account of Some Further Experiments with Rudi Schneider (1933)
- Leaves from a Psychist's Case-Book (1933)
- The Most Haunted House in England: Ten Years' Investigation of Borley Rectory (1940)
- Search for Truth (1942)
- Poltergeist Over England: Three Centuries of Mischief-Making Ghosts (1945)
- The End of Borley Rectory (1946)
Further Reading:
- Tabitha, R., & Webb, J. (2016). Harry Price: The Psychic Detective. History Press.