Ghosts

1. Ghosts possess a dynamic "natural history" shaped by culture and belief.

Ghosts have changed over the years, which is why, I would suggest, there is a natural history needs to be told of them.

Evolution of spectres. The nature and appearance of ghosts are not static but have evolved throughout history, reflecting the prevailing cultural, religious, and social beliefs of the time. From the dusty shadows of Babylonian underworlds to the reanimated corpses of medieval Europe and the gothic figures of the Regency era, each period has shaped its spectres.

Cultural imprints. Ghosts often embody the anxieties and preoccupations of their age. Medieval ghosts might return from Purgatory burdened by sin, while post-Restoration ghosts sought to right injustices or reveal hidden treasures. Victorian ghosts were often questioned in séances, reflecting a new interest in communication with the dead and the rise of spiritualism.

Modern manifestations. Contemporary ghosts continue to change, influenced by technology and psychology. They are less often seen as souls and more as emotional fields or energy residues. The idea of demonic ghosts has seen a resurgence, partly re-imported from American popular culture, while digital "orbs" represent a new, technologically mediated form of apparition.

2. A diverse taxonomy categorizes the many forms of spectral encounters.

With ghosts there is a taxonomy – that is to say, there are many kinds of ghosts.

Categorizing the uncanny. Ghostly phenomena are not monolithic but fall into distinct categories, as proposed by investigators like Peter Underwood. These include:

• Elementals: Primitive entities tied to places, often linked to pagan pasts or demonic forces.
• Poltergeists: Violent energies focused around a person, typically a teenager, causing physical disturbances.
• Traditional/Historical: Souls of the dead aware of and interacting with the living.
• Mental Imprint: Psychic energy soaked into a place, repeating actions without consciousness ("stone tape" theory).
• Crisis/Death-survival: Apparitions seen at the moment of death or life-threatening ordeal.
• Time Slips: Experiences of stepping into a past era, often picturesque and nostalgic.
• Ghosts of the Living: Apparitions of living persons, suggesting non-local consciousness or telepathy.
• Haunted Inanimate Objects: Ghosts attached to items like beds or jewels.

Beyond human forms. The taxonomy extends beyond human spirits to include animal ghosts, predominantly domesticated species like cats, dogs, and horses. These range from demonic hounds of folklore to beloved pets seen after death. The variety underscores that the experience of haunting is multifaceted and not limited to a single type of entity or event.

Changing perceptions. While historical accounts might focus on specific types like reanimated corpses or demons, modern reports often emphasize mood, atmosphere, and subtle physical sensations like temperature drops or touches, with full apparitions being less common but still reported, sometimes captured on camera.

3. Ghost hunting evolved from theological proof to scientific inquiry and public spectacle.

Joseph Glanvill (1636–80) might reasonably be called England’s ‘Ghost-hunter General’, having published a succession of influential books on the subject of the supernatural, and gone out into the field to prove them.

Early theological quest. Ghost hunting began not as entertainment but as a serious theological pursuit. Figures like Joseph Glanvill sought evidence of ghosts and witchcraft to prove the existence of God and counter atheism, viewing spectres as part of the divine supernatural light-show. His investigations, like the Tedworth Drummer case, aimed to provide rational evidence for spiritual realities.

Rise of scientific inquiry. The Victorian era saw the emergence of formal organizations like the Society for Psychical Research (SPR), founded in 1882. Composed of scientists and academics, the SPR aimed to investigate paranormal phenomena using scientific methods, collecting case studies and testing mediums, though often hampered by class bias and the difficulty of controlled experiments.

Modern media spectacle. The 20th century brought figures like Harry Price, who pioneered the use of technology and media in ghost hunting, transforming it into a form of public entertainment. His live broadcasts and sensationalized investigations, though criticized by purists, laid the groundwork for contemporary televised ghost hunts, which prioritize sensation and accessibility over rigorous scientific method.

4. Famous hauntings like Hinton Ampner reveal complex human dramas and historical context.

But perhaps most gripping of all is the possibility that this story forms the basis for Henry James’s The Turn of the Screw and is the famous ‘lost’ ghost story supposedly related to James by the Archbishop of Canterbury, E. W. Benson, one winter evening in 1895.

A well-documented case. The haunting of Hinton Ampner in the 1760s and 70s is notable for the quality and quantity of its witnesses, including members of the gentry and future prominent figures. Mary Ricketts' detailed private account describes a range of phenomena:

• Slamming doors and footsteps
• Animal terror
• Apparitions (man in drab suit, woman in silk dress)
• Groans and mysterious music
• Violent crashes and shaking of the house
• Murmuring voices

Layers of explanation. The case offers multiple potential explanations beyond the purely supernatural. Theories include:

• A hoax by disgruntled servants or locals (perhaps related to the drum in the Tedworth case).
• Psychological distress of Mary Ricketts or other inhabitants.
• A "stone tape" effect from past events like the 1644 Battle of Cheriton fought nearby.
• A scandal involving the previous owners, Lord Stawell, his sister-in-law Honoria, and a dishonest steward, Isaac Mackrell, potentially involving murder and a hidden body.

Literary and social legacy. The Hinton Ampner story, passed down through families and eventually published, is strongly linked to Henry James's The Turn of the Screw, suggesting how real-life accounts, even if embellished or misinterpreted, can fuel powerful fiction. The case also highlights social dynamics, such as the differing perceptions of ghosts by masters and servants, and the role of the clergy in validating or dismissing such claims.

5. Poltergeists often manifest around adolescent girls amidst family tension.

Poltergeists present themselves as violent energies connected to a focus person, though there is some debate, according to Guy Lyon Playfair (b. 1935), the world’s greatest living expert, as to whether they are ‘alive or dead’.

Noisy spirits. Poltergeists, meaning "noisy spirits" in German, are characterized by physical disturbances:

• Knocking, rapping, and scratching sounds
• Moving or throwing objects (lithobolia)
• Levitation of people or furniture
• Spontaneous fires or water leaks
• Voices or other auditory phenomena

The focus person. A recurring pattern in poltergeist cases is their association with a specific individual, most often an adolescent girl. Psychological theories, like Nandor Fodor's, suggest these phenomena might be externalizations of repressed anger or frustrated desires in the focus person.

Cases in point. Historical examples illustrate this pattern:

• The Tedworth Drummer (1661): Disturbances centered around the Mompesson children.
• The Devil of Mâcon (1612): Focused on the Calvinist priest's household, with suspicion falling on a maid.
• The Epworth Poltergeist (1716): Centered around the Wesley children, particularly Hetty, amidst intense family discord.
• The Enfield Poltergeist (1977): Focused on teenager Janet Hodgson.

These cases, spanning centuries, show a consistent link between poltergeist activity, a young focus person, and often underlying family or social tension, suggesting a complex interplay of psychological and environmental factors.

6. The Cock Lane ghost exemplifies early media sensationalism and public credulity.

Late January, 1762. A media circus, the first one.

A public spectacle. The Cock Lane ghost affair in 1762 became London's first major media sensation. Centered around the Parsons family and their young daughter Betty, the alleged ghost of Fanny Lynes communicated through raps, accusing her former lover, William Kent, of murder. This captivated all levels of society, from the working-class crowds outside to celebrities and intellectuals like Dr. Johnson and Horace Walpole attending séances.

Fraud and motive. Evidence strongly suggests the haunting was a hoax orchestrated by Richard Parsons, likely motivated by a financial dispute with Kent and perhaps fueled by Betty's attachment to Fanny and anger over her death. Betty was eventually caught faking the raps, often using a piece of wood.

Media amplification. Newspapers of the era, eager for sensational stories, amplified the affair, engaging in bidding wars for accounts and fueling public hysteria. The case highlights the power of early mass media to shape public perception and the willingness of individuals to believe extraordinary claims, especially when sensationalized.

Consequences. The affair ended in scandal and prosecution for Parsons and his associates, but it left a lasting mark on the public consciousness, becoming a symbol of credulity and the dangers of unchecked superstition, while also demonstrating the emerging power of the press.

7. Medical and psychological theories offer alternative explanations for ghost sightings.

To see a ghost is, ipso facto, to be a subject for a physician.

Early medical views. From the late 18th century, medical professionals began to seek physiological explanations for ghost sightings, moving away from purely supernatural interpretations. Friedrich Nicolai's experience, where bleeding seemed to cure his hallucinations, suggested a physical cause. Physicians like John Ferriar and Samuel Hibbert proposed theories linking apparitions to:

• Disorders of perception
• Waking dreams
• Renewal of external impressions
• Poor digestion or congestion

Psychological and neurological links. Later theories explored psychological states and brain activity. Mesmerism and hypnotism suggested altered states of consciousness could access hidden information or create perceived realities. Modern research points to the temporal lobe, where microseizures or electrical stimulation can induce sensations of presence or hallucinations.

Environmental factors. Environmental elements are also considered. Theories suggest low-frequency sound waves (infrasound) or electromagnetic disturbances, potentially caused by geological activity or man-made sources, could induce physiological effects like unease, visual distortions, or feelings of presence, mimicking haunting phenomena.

Skepticism and science. While science has yet to definitively prove or disprove ghosts, it offers compelling alternative explanations rooted in the complex interplay of brain function, psychological states, and environmental stimuli, challenging purely supernatural interpretations.

8. Technology has both enabled the perception and facilitated the debunking of ghostly phenomena.

But technology has not always been the servant of the truth in such matters: it has more usually been the master.

Illusions and entertainment. From the camera obscura and magic lantern shows of the 17th century to "Pepper's Ghost" in the 19th, technology was used to create convincing spectral illusions for entertainment. These phantasmagoria shows, projecting images onto smoke or screens, capitalized on public fascination with the uncanny.

Capturing the unseen. The advent of photography led to "spirit photography," initially through accidental double exposures but quickly exploited by mediums like William Mumler for fraudulent purposes. While often debunked, these images fueled belief and demonstrated the power of technology to seemingly capture the supernatural.

Detection and investigation. Technology became central to ghost hunting, from Harry Price's use of microphones and circuit breakers to modern EMF readers and digital recorders used for Electronic Voice Phenomenon (EVP). These tools aim to provide objective evidence, though their interpretation remains debated.

New forms of haunting. Technology itself has become a medium for alleged hauntings, with reports of ghosts appearing in photographs, communicating through EVP, or even sending texts from dead individuals' phones, creating new "instrumented transcommunication" phenomena.

9. Class and social status significantly influence belief in and reporting of ghosts.

Belief in ghosts has always been vulgar – as vulgar as illness, which it has always superficially resembled.

Historical divisions. Historically, belief in ghosts was often stratified by class. The upper classes might entertain ancestral ghosts as a form of heritage, while the lower classes were often seen as inherently superstitious, their ghost stories dismissed as "tales of the nursery" or attempts to cover up illicit activities.

Middle-class skepticism. The rising middle classes, particularly from the 18th century onwards, often adopted a more skeptical stance, viewing ghost belief as a sign of poor education, mental weakness, or even moral failing. This class often produced the most vocal debunkers and scientific investigators.

Victorian spiritualism. The spiritualist movement of the Victorian era, while attracting some elite members, had strong working-class roots, particularly in the north of England. This challenged traditional class perceptions of ghost belief, though organizations like the SPR still exhibited class bias in evaluating witnesses.

Modern landscape. While the multi-media age has somewhat democratized ghost belief, making it more classless, echoes of historical attitudes persist. Tabloid coverage often focuses on "vulgar" hauntings, while academic or scientific discussions maintain a more detached, skeptical tone, reflecting the enduring influence of social status on how paranormal claims are perceived and validated.

10. Wartime and periods of crisis frequently correlate with increased ghost sightings and legends.

The mid-war timing of the Knighton experience is also significant; as we shall see in later chapters, wartime does seem to increase a tendency towards belief in ghosts, and especially at this point in the First World War.

Crisis apparitions. Periods of intense stress, loss, and uncertainty, such as wartime, often see a rise in ghost sightings and supernatural beliefs. Crisis or death-survival apparitions, where individuals see loved ones at the moment of their death, become more common.

Collective legends. Wartime can also foster collective supernatural legends that serve psychological or propaganda purposes. The Angels of Mons story during WWI, where soldiers allegedly saw angelic figures or archers from Agincourt helping them, provided a powerful narrative of divine intervention and national resilience amidst devastating losses.

Haunted landscapes. Battlefields and sites of mass death can acquire reputations for being haunted, with reports of spectral armies or individual ghosts tied to traumatic events. The U65 submarine, plagued by deaths during its construction and service, became a "hoodoo" ship, its haunting reflecting the psychological toll of submarine warfare.

Grief and hope. The widespread grief and desire for connection with lost loved ones during and after wars also fueled interest in spiritualism and attempts to communicate with the dead, as seen with figures like Sir Oliver Lodge after his son's death in WWI.

11. Fraud, unreliable witnesses, and subjective experience pose persistent challenges to ghost investigation.

Deception is the ghost that haunts Borley.

The challenge of proof. Investigating ghosts is inherently difficult due to the subjective nature of sightings and the prevalence of fraud. Many famous cases, from the Cock Lane ghost to Borley Rectory, involved deliberate deception or embellishment.

Unreliable accounts. Witnesses, even well-meaning ones, can be unreliable. Factors like fear, suggestion, misinterpretation of natural phenomena, psychological states (like sleep paralysis or hallucination), and the desire for attention or financial gain can distort accounts. The Borley Rectory case, in particular, was plagued by unreliable witnesses and the manipulative actions of figures like Harry Price and Marianne Foyster.

Difficulty of control. Creating controlled environments for investigation is challenging. Houses cannot be perfectly sealed, and the presence of investigators or the public can influence events or provide opportunities for fakery. The Borley investigation, despite attempts at systematic observation, was undermined by these factors.

The "experimenter effect". Even investigators can be influenced by their beliefs or desires, consciously or unconsciously shaping the investigation or interpretation of results. This highlights the difficulty of maintaining objectivity in a field prone to strong personal convictions.

12. Ultimately, ghosts exist because people report seeing them, reflecting human psychology and storytelling.

In a basic sense, ghosts exist because people constantly report that they see them.

The reality of experience. Regardless of their ultimate nature or cause, the experience of seeing or sensing a ghost is a real phenomenon for the percipient. Millions of people across cultures and history have reported such encounters, making the study of ghosts, at its core, a study of human experience and perception.

Psychology and perception. Ghost sightings can be understood through the lens of psychology and neuroscience, involving complex interactions of memory, expectation, environmental stimuli, and brain function. These experiences, while potentially having naturalistic explanations, are no less real to the individual undergoing them.

The power of narrative. Ghost stories are a fundamental part of human culture, serving various functions:

• Explaining the unknown (death, the afterlife)
• Processing trauma and grief
• Reinforcing moral lessons
• Providing entertainment and shared experience
• Reflecting social anxieties and historical events

Enduring mystery. Despite centuries of investigation, scientific inquiry, and debunking, the phenomenon of ghost sightings persists. This enduring mystery continues to fascinate, suggesting that the human mind's capacity for perception, belief, and storytelling remains a fertile ground for encounters with the uncanny.

Last updated: June 12, 2025