Funk, Isaac Kauffmann (1839-1912)

views updated

Funk, Isaac Kauffmann (1839-1912)

Born in Clinton, Ohio, Funk worked in the field of religious journalism before becoming director and principal proprietor of the publishing house Funk and Wagnalls. A well-known psychical investigator and author of several books on the paranormal, Funk was converted to a belief in Spiritualism by the medium May Pepper of Brooklyn, New York, through whom he received a manifestation from Richard Hodgson a few weeks after Hodgson's death, and by numerous other important incidents. James H. Hyslop, in his book Contact with the Other World (1919), devotes a chapter to claimed spirit communication from Funk through the mediumship of Minnie Meserve Soule (Mrs. Chenoweth).

Sources:

Funk, Isaac K. The Next Step in Evolution; The Present Step. London/New York: Funk & Wagnalls, 1902.

. The Psychic Riddle. London/New York: Funk & Wagnalls, 1907.

. The Widow's Mite and other Psychic Phenomena. London/New York: Funk & Wagnalls, 1904.