Apropos of nothing

[ksmith]

I used to read--and should start reading again--Gilded Age and Victorian era biographies and histories. Over at Daily Kos, Devilstower posts about the later days of Cornelius Vanderbilt, the not-so-ex-prostitute sisters who befriended him, their lives, and the growth of spiritualism.

From the time when spiritualism first took hold in the United States during the 1840's, its popularity was based among the upper classes and upper crust of American society. The informal religion emerged (as had so many others) from the "Burned-over District" in upstate New York. It borrowed from sources as diverse as Franz Mesmer's hypnotism and offshoots of radical Quakerism to form a anything-goes hotbed for scholarly religious dissent, simply odd ideas, and certified nut cases. It was also a rich feeding ground for hucksters of all sorts.

So, read Parlor Tricks if you have a mind to. Meanwhile, I shall add a few books to the wish list.

Comments

[scbutler.livejournal.com]

I've got an old bio of Victoria Woodhull I picked up in the late '70s. At least I think I still have it.

Interesting the article didn't mention Woodhull and her sister's battles with Henry Ward Beecher over free love (and his adultery).

There's even a Woodhull St in my neighborhood in Brooklyn!

[(Anonymous)]

I could have sworn that the article mentioned Beecher, but it was in the review of one of the linked books.

I find it interesting that both sisters married well in England. Either the husbands didn't care about their pasts--that would be a refreshing change--or found it part of the attraction--that I can believe. I doubt they didn't know.

Must get those books.

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

And this was me. LJ keeps kicking me out.

[scbutler.livejournal.com]

About as different a pair of nineteenth century women as I've ever heard of. Almost like something out of a Flashman novel.