author
Edward T. Bennett
1831–1908
A Victorian botanist with an unexpected second life in psychical research, he wrote clearly about subjects that fascinated both scientists and spiritualists. His work reflects a moment when careful observation and curiosity were being applied to some of the era’s strangest questions.
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About the author
Born in London on July 1, 1831, Edward T. Bennett—better known in full as Edward Trusted Bennett—was a British botanist who later became closely associated with psychical research. He is remembered for moving between two very different worlds: the study of plants and the investigation of unusual mental and physical phenomena.
Bennett was active in British scientific circles and is especially noted for his work with the Society for Psychical Research, where he served for many years as assistant secretary. He also wrote books including The Society for Psychical Research: Its Rise & Progress & a Sketch of Its Work, Automatic Speaking and Writing, and Psychic Phenomena, presenting complicated and controversial material in a straightforward, organized way.
That mix of patient record-keeping and openness to unusual subjects gives his writing its character. Even now, his books offer a window into late 19th- and early 20th-century attempts to examine extraordinary claims with a serious, methodical tone.