A Study of Strange Show Notes - The Spirit Photographer, William H. Mumler, with guest Timothy Donahue



A Study of Strange
Episode 3 & 4
The Spirit Photographer, William H. Mumler

On this two parter, our special guest is Timothy Donahue, a filmmaker and former co-host of the tv series “Auto/Biography” along with A Study Strange’s host Michael May. Tim wears his skeptic hat as Michael introduces him to the story of William H. Mumler, the father of spirit photography and a likely con man.

It was in New York City in 1869 when William Mumler was accused of fraud. Mumler was a medium who would take portraits of people, and on their photographs would magically appear ghosts. The practice became known as Spirit Photography. While we might look at Mumler’s photographs with a modern eye and clearly see double exposure as a method to create the spirits, no one could figure out how Mumler was pulling off his deceit. 

Mumler’s case is connected directly to our cultural beliefs and distrust of the media today. And, we still don’t know how he did it.


Thank you for listening! Visit www.astrudyofstrange.com for more show notes, resources, and strange info!


Theme Music by Matt Glass http://www.glassbrain.com/

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Hosted by Michael May

©2022 Convergent Content, LLC



Research Resources:

https://www.amazon.com/Apparitionists-Phantoms-Photography-Captured-Lincolns/dp/0544745973/ref=asc_df_0544745973/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312134266711&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3198501778131025376&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9031201&hvtargid=pla-412257958969&psc=1

https://www.getty.edu/art/collection/person/104VG5

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/meet-mr-mumler-man-who-captured-lincolns-ghost-camera-180965090/

https://www.newyorker.com/culture/photo-booth/photographer-who-claimed-to-capture-abraham-lincoln-ghosthttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_of_Abraham_Lincoln_(photograph)

https://www.indiatimes.com/trending/social-relevance/worlds-oldest-photos-543067.html

https://www.britannica.com/technology/wet-collodion-process

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ii2O6wz0Zxc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xsx6xqi0vzU

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