Daniel Dunglas Home’s American Séances

Record summary

Daniel Dunglas Home, a Scottish-born medium, conducted séances in American households and circles during the 1850s before becoming more prominent in Europe. Reports attributed table movement, raps, levitation, and spirit communication to his presence, while critics emphasized darkness, witness suggestion, and uncontrolled conditions. His American period is useful for comparing imported mediumship, elite patronage, domestic séance protocols, and press mediation. Surviving accounts are uneven and often retrospective, so the lead is best approached through named sitters and specific published reports.