As England wa
s slowly emerging out of the austere times of the Victorian era one man was growing up who would develop an interest in the paranormal, specifically the psychic side and go on to achieve an enviable level of renowned respect in its study. Perhaps by design but certainly by intent Harry Price began to expand his interest and promotion of psychic phenomena by his involvement in spiritual circles, his accumulation of a significant library on the subject of ‘real magic’ and by applying his scientific methods of testing. He was happily married to his wife Constance and the coupe lived in Pulborough, Sussex. In his career he’d had several vocations and during World War One had assisted with aerial photography enhancements thanks to his skills in this field but for most of its duration he constructed shell fuses most likely due to his engineering and chemistry background.
He also exhibited an interest in archaeology and coin collecting but really he concentrated on an altogether different subject and one that would soon see his becoming known as the man to call if paranormal phenomena were known at a location. During the roaring twenties communications and technologies were advancing at a great pace. Into these times local gossip about certain haunted locations or the scientific assessment of notable psychics by Harry Price really comes together and the results were nationwide news.
Borley Rectory
Anyone who knows their accounts of famous hauntings has heard of Borley Rectory, Price’s second landmark after his being recognised as an international psychic researcher. It was during this investigation that his condition that precluded his active service returns to trouble him again. The case is well documented and is perhaps singularly important not because of the nature of the phenomena but because it brought an otherwise almost taboo subject into the public eye and because of the investigative manner in which it was handled.
Harry Price can in part be considered to have brought the study of the metaphysical into the modern world as a well recognised, respected subject that could have scientific principles applied to it. Certainly a ghost hunter or paranormal investigator by the general title, but a pioneer for sure..
