Cheiro

Born in Dublin in 1866, Cheiro was the pen name most closely associated with William John Warner, an Irish astrologer, palmist, and author who later became famous in London, Paris, and the United States. He cultivated an air of mystery around his life, but reliable sources agree that he became widely known for palm readings, predictions, and books that introduced occult subjects to a broad public audience.

Cheiro published a long list of works on palmistry, numerology, astrology, and prophecy, along with memoir-like writings about the many notable people he claimed to have met. His appeal came partly from showmanship and partly from the way he presented esoteric ideas in a lively, accessible style that general readers could enjoy.

He died in 1936, but his name remained far better known than many other fortune-telling authors of his era. For readers interested in the history of popular occult writing, Cheiro stands out as one of the figures who helped turn mystical practice into mass-market entertainment.