3. Mr Splitfoot

About this episode

The episode explores the life and experiments of Dr William Jackson Crawford and the origins of Spiritualism through the story of the Fox sisters.

The story of Dr William Jackson Crawford, an engineer and teacher, who carried out a series of strange experiments with a teenage medium and her family before his untimely death on the shores of Belfast lough in 1920. Dr Crawford’s findings were extraordinary and widely published – but was it all a hoax? Episode 3 – Mr Splitfoot 1848, Wayne County in rural New York. Two young sisters claim they can communicate with a strange presence in their home – the ghost of a murdered pedlar who uses raps, knocks and bangs to answer their questions. The Fox sisters become key in the creation of a new religious movement known as Spiritualism – the belief that the dead may be contacted by the living. Word spreads fast and it soon takes root in Ireland, where Spiritualism finds its way to Belfast – and the Goligher family. Written and presented by Reggie Chamberlain King Readings by Dave Fleming Lucy McConnell Mark Claney Stephen Beggs Produced by Conor McKay Editor Andy Martin A BBC Northern Ireland Production

People in this episode

Host: Reggie Chamberlain King

Topics covered

• Spiritualism
• ghosts
• experiments
• history
• communication with the dead
• Belfast
• family

Keywords

• Dr William Jackson Crawford
• Spiritualism
• Fox sisters
• Belfast
• ghost communication
• experiments
• history
• 1920
• Belfast lough
• medium

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: BBC Northern Ireland

Books & works: Mr Splitfoot

Places: Belfast lough, Wayne County, Ireland, Belfast

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