On the Threshold of the Unseen

Sir William Fletcher Barrett (February 10, 1844 - May 26, 1925) was Professor of Physics at the Royal College of Science for Dublin from 1873-1910 and one of the distinguished early psychical researchers. He was instrumental in the founding of the Society for Psychical Research (SPR) in 1882, serving as vice-president and editor of the Society's Journal during its first year and he became president in 1904. He also encouraged Professor William James of Harvard to organize the American branch of the SPR. in 1884. First published in 1917, On the Threshold of the Unseen is Barrett's examination of spiritualism, psychic phenomena, and life after death. Topics covered include, science and scepticism, automatic writing, clairvoyance, telepathy, direct voice, spirit photography, and much more. During his 50 years of psychical research, Barrett observed many types of psychic phenomena. Recalling his past experiences at a private meeting of the SPR on June 17, 1924, less than a year before his death, Barrett said: "I am personally convinced that the evidence we have published decidedly demonstrates, the existence of a spiritual world, survival after death, and of occasional communication from those who have passed over...It is however hardly possible to convey to others who have not had a similar experience an adequate idea of the strength and cumulative force of the evidence that has compelled [my] belief." Almost a century later, On the Threshold of the Unseen is still considered essential reading of anyone interested in psychical research and survival of consciousness after physical death.

Table of Contents:
PREFACE PART 1 1. INTRODUCTION 2. PSYCHICAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC OPINION 3. CONFLICTING OBJECTIONS OF SCIENCE AND RELIGION PART 2 4. PHYSICAL PHENOMENA OF SPIRITUALISM 5. PHYSICAL PHENOMENA OF SPIRITUALISM CONTINUED 6. LEVITATION AND IMPUNITY TO FIRE 7. ON CERTAIN MORE DISPUTABLE PHENOMENA OF SPIRITUALISM; ECTOPLASMS; DIRECT VOICE; MATERIALIZATION; SPIRIT PHOTOGRAPHY: THE AURA PART 3 8. THE CANONS OF EVIDENCE IN PSYCHICAL RESEARCH 9. THEORIES 10. THE PROBLEM OF MEDIUMSHIP 11. HUMAN PERSONALITY: THE SUBLIMINAL SELF PART 4 12. APPARITIONS 13. AUTOMATIC WRITING. THE EVIDENCE FOR IDENTITY 14. PROOF OF SUPERNORMAL MESSAGES; THE OUIJA BOARD 15. FURTHER EVIDENCE OF SURVIVAL AFTER DEATH 16. EVIDENCE OF IDENTITY IN THE DISCARNATE 17. EVIDENCE FROM ABROAD OF SURVIVAL PART 5 18. CLAIRVOYANCE, PSYCHOLOGY OF TRANCE PHENOMENA 19. DIFFICULTIES AND OBJECTIONS CONSIDERED 20. CAUTIONS AND SUGGESTIONS PART 6 21. THE LESSON OF PHILOSOPHY IN THE INTERPRETATION OF NATURE 22. THE MYSTERY OF HUMAN PERSONALITY 23. THE DIVINE GROUND OF THE SOUL: REINCARNATION 24. TELEPATHY AND ITS IMPLICATIONS APPENDICES A. SUPERSTITION AND THE SUPERNATURAL: MIRACLES B. NOTE BY THE LATE PROF. BALFOUR STEWART, F.R.S C. EUSAPIA PALADINO D. SUGGESTIONS FOR INVESTIGATORS E.

About the Author :
Sir William Fletcher Barrett (February 10, 1844 - May 26, 1925) was one of the pioneers of psychical research. It was Barrett's idea to form the Society for Psychical Research (SPR) in London in 1882. However, since Barrett was living in Dublin, Ireland at the time, he was not able to take an active part in managing the Society. He left that up to three Cambridge scholars, Henry Sedgwick, Frederic W. H. Myers, and Edmund Gurney. Barrett also encouraged Professor William James of Harvard to organize the American branch of the SPR in 1884. He edited the SPR Journal from 1884-99 and served as president of the SPR in 1904.