Temporary record

Edward C. Randall, an attorney and businessman from Buffalo, became interested in Spiritualism in the 1890's, following his attendance at a seance. Then falling increasingly into intellectual disrepute and under strong attack from a variety of established denominations, Spiritualism was nevertheless not precipitously declining in adherents. Randall established himself as a voice for Spiritualists, writing a numer of articles and books outlining the philosophy of eternal life and marshalling what he viewed as hard, empirical evidence supporting his beliefs. Until about 1925, Randall's articles appeared regularly in the Spiritualist press, including the Harbinger of Light and Kalpaca, and his books sold very well. Life's Progression, Research in Metaphysics (1906), The Dead have Never Died (at least 3 editions between 1917 and 1920), and Frontiers of the After-life (1922) made Randall a minor celebrity in Spiritualist circles.

By the 1920's, however, the failure of many of the eschatological predictions of Spiritualism and the exposure of a number of frauds among mediums had so deteriorated the respectability of the religion in the eyes of the public that major publishers became increasingly disinclined to handle Spiritualist works.

Scope and contents:

The Randall Collection consists of 18 typed manuscripts of Randall's metaphysical writings, approximately 500 letters addressed to Randall, many with replies attached, regarding his doctrinal and controversial works, and a few lengthy essays intended for publication. Two of these essays were eventually published, but the remainder were repeatedly by-passed. The letters come largely from readers of his published works, offering reactions to Randall's writings and philosophy, and, in many cases, their own experiences with Spiritualist phenomena.

M-2951

Subjects

Mediums
Spiritualism--New York (State)

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