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The Oxford Phasmatological Society was an organisation from Oxford that investigated paranormal phenomena. It lasted from 1879-1885. It is considered to have been the first psychical research society.

It was founded by Edward Ridley and F. C. S. Schiller, with Charles Oman, who served as one of its four presidents. Arthur Headlam also served as president. Similarly to the Society for Psychical Research formed in 1882, it collected and investigated reports of ghosts, hauntings, and psychic phenomena.

Meetings were held in the rooms of Schiller at Balliol College.

Publications

• Selections from the Papers of the Phasmatological Society (1882)

References

1. Oppenheim, Janet. (2002).The Other World: Spiritualism and Psychical Research in England, 1850-1914. Cambridge University Press. p. 123. ISBN 978-0521347679
2. ^ Haileybury Register, 1862-1887. Edited by L. S. Milford, M. A. Hertford: Stephen Austin and Sons, 1887. p. 58
3. Samuel, Lawrence R. (2011). Supernatural America: A Cultural History. Praeger. p. 27. ISBN 978-0-313-39899-5
4. Schlossberg, Herbert. (2009). Conflict and Crisis in the Religious Life of Late Victorian England. Transaction Publishers. p. 271. ISBN 978-1-4128-1027-2
5. ^ Anonymous. (1885). The Phasmatological Society. The Oxford Magazine. p. 258
6. Hearnshaw, Leslie Spencer. (1964). A Short History of British Psychology: 1840-1940. Barnes & Noble. p. 158

Further reading

• Charles Oman. (1946). The Old Oxford Phasmatological Society. Journal of Society for Psychical Research 33: 208-216.

51°45′14″N 1°15′25″W / 51.754°N 1.257°W / 51.754; -1.257

• 1879 establishments in England
• Paranormal organizations