The 1884 Hodgson Report on the Theosophical Society

Record summary

Richard Hodgson investigated alleged occult phenomena connected with Helena Blavatsky and the Theosophical Society for the Society for Psychical Research. His report discussed claimed precipitated letters, hidden communications, witnesses and alleged fraud. It is historically important for comparison because it is a named nineteenth-century inquiry into paranormal testimony, with a long afterlife of criticism and partial reassessment. Researchers should read the report alongside the SPR’s later comments, archival evidence and modern handwriting or historiographical studies rather than treating either the report or its critics as final.