|
Search over 100 encyclopedias and dictionaries: |
Research categories | Follow us on Twitter |
Research categories
View all topics in the newsView all reference sources at Encyclopedia.com |
|||
Davis, Andrew Jackson
Davis, Andrew Jackson (1826–1910), known as the “Poughkeepsie Seer,” after a shiftless childhood fell under the influence of a mesmerist, who found him to be an ideal subject. In 1845, with his own hypnotist and reporter, Davis began a series of lectures delivered ostensibly in states of trance. From the verbatim reports he compiled his Principles of Nature, Her Divine Revelations, and A Voice to Mankind (1847), a mixture of mysticism, philosophy, science, and occult history, which seems to have influenced Poe's Eureka and Chivers's Search After Truth. His transition from mesmerism to spiritualism is shown in The Great Harmonia (1850) and 26 subsequent works.
|
|
|
Cite this article
James D. Hart and and Phillip W. Leininger. "Davis, Andrew Jackson." The Oxford Companion to American Literature. 1995. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. James D. Hart and and Phillip W. Leininger. "Davis, Andrew Jackson." The Oxford Companion to American Literature. 1995. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O123-DavisAndrewJackson.html James D. Hart and and Phillip W. Leininger. "Davis, Andrew Jackson." The Oxford Companion to American Literature. 1995. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O123-DavisAndrewJackson.html |
|
Andrew Jackson Davis
Andrew Jackson Davis 1826–1910, American spiritualist, b. Blooming Grove, N.Y. He became a professional clairvoyant, known as the "Poughkeepsie Seer," after being mesmerized in 1843. He was popular among followers of abolitionist, feminist, and temperance movements. Influenced by the ideas of Swedish philosopher Emmanuel Swedenborg , Davis was one of the first American spiritualists to envision the potential of spiritual naturalism to achieve social reform. His writings include The Principle of Nature (1847) and The Harmonial Man (1853). |
|
|
Cite this article
"Andrew Jackson Davis." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Andrew Jackson Davis." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-DavisAJ.html "Andrew Jackson Davis." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-DavisAJ.html |
|
Search over 100 encyclopedias and dictionaries:
HighBeam™ Research, Inc. © Copyright 2012. All rights reserved.
The Encyclopedia.com advertising network includes:
