Spiritualism and Theosophy

Definition

Spiritualism and Theosophy were both important popular religious movements in the mid-to-late nineteenth century. Spiritualism alone boasted millions of adherents. Both spiritualism and Theosophy had broad cultural appeal since they promised the living that they could communicate with the dead and gain insights about love and life from beyond the vale. Spiritualism branded itself as the first truly modern religious practice as it provided routes for immediate communication with the unseen world. Both spiritualism and Theosophy enjoyed their height of popularity in the late nineteenth century. These groups also attracted many women writers and provided many themes and plots in late nineteenth century popular fiction. From best-selling authors, such as Marie Corelli, to other popular authors, including Florence Marryat, George Eliot, Charlotte Bronte, Cora Linn Daniels, Georgiana Houghton, Catherine Crowe, and Sophia De Morgan.

Introduction

Starting in the historically pivotal...