The Coulomb affair and the 1885 Theosophical Society investigation

Record summary

The Coulomb affair concerned allegations by former Theosophical associates Emma and Alexis Coulomb that Helena Blavatsky had used concealed mechanisms and staged phenomena at the Adyar headquarters. The Society for Psychical Research sent Richard Hodgson to investigate, producing the controversial 1885 report that condemned Blavatsky’s claims and character. Later scholars have challenged aspects of Hodgson’s methods and conclusions, while the affair remains central to debates about fraud, testimony, institutional bias, and psychical research. It is a particularly well-documented controversy rather than evidence of paranormal phenomena.