Pioneers

The Spiritualists' Lyceum Union
Pioneers

Andrew Jackson Davis (1826 -1910) Founder of the Lyceum Movement The young Andrew Jackson Davis was a trance medium who enabled his Spirit helpers to dictate books that were then transcribed and printed. There are copies of most of these in the extensive library of the Lyceum Union. He was able to ‘Journey’ when in the trance state and visit the spiritual planes. He compared the way children were educated in the Summerland (spirit-world) to the way they were educated on Earth and it was his belief that the methods used by Spirit were superior to those here. Andrew Jackson Davis spoke of this in a lecture at Dodsworth Hall on January 25th 1863; the Lyceum was inaugurated at that meeting. The first British Lyceum was opened in Nottingham, in June 1866 by Mr J Hitchcock.
An early Lyceum banner, very fragile but still beautiful with inset Photograph of Andrew Jackson Davis.

Alfred Kitson 1855 – 1934 First Secretary of the Spiritualists’ Lyceum Union (became known as Dad Kitson, the Father of the British Lyceum Movement) Born in Gawthorpe, West Riding Yorkshire, the young Alfred Kitson was a strictly brought up Methodist. His Father investigated Spiritualism, expecting to find evidence of fraud, instead he developed as a Medium. Alfred became convinced that the Spiritualist religion could help mankind and he devoted his efforts, and his heart, to work for children and the Lyceum. Alfred wrote several books, copies are held in the Lyceum Library, and some are available to buy from our Lyceum bookshop. The right-hand picture shows: Alfred Kitson’s desk and chair on display and the Lyceum museum. The desk holds original handwritten manuscripts for his autobiography. The small top drawer contains personal letters received from Harry Kersey who was the first President of the Lyceum Union and co–compiler of the Lyceum Manual. Also, in the museum, there are many original letters written by other early Lyceum and Spiritualist pioneers.

J.J. Morse First editor of The Lyceum Banner The Lyceum Banner was first published in November 1890 and a copy is held in the Lyceum Museum Library. In 1902 the Lyceum Banner was given to the Lyceum Union, who have produced it continuously since that time.

Harry Kersey First President of the Spiritualists Lyceum Union Harry Kersey came from Newcastle upon Tyne and collaborated with Alfred Kitson and Emma Hardinge Britten on the production of the Lyceum Manual. He paid for this to be printed and later worked on the Spiritual Songster with his sister.

Mrs Jessie Greenwood The first Lady President of the BSLU in 1898, Jessie also has the distinction of becoming the first Lady President of the Spiritualists' National Union in 1923. The Vice-Presidents of the SLU now wear Jessie's Silver Jubilee Medal as the Vice Presidential insignia.
Emma Hardinge Britten who co-produced the Lyceum Manual Emma Hardinge Britten was a famous medium of the 19th century who spoke publically and wrote prolifically to support the growth of the Spiritualist movement. Emma received the Principles of Spiritualism from the communicating spirit of Robert Owen. A copy of the original Principles, in the bound volume of ‘Medium and Daybreak’ 1871, is on view at the Lyceum museum library.
Rare photograph held in museum of Emma's mother, Mrs Floyd.

Muriel Boddington Founder of the Lyceum Union Museum *Honorary Vice President of the SNU (1900 –1989)* Muriel's grandparents were Spiritualists and with them Muriel went to Spiritualist meetings and a Lyceum. Muriel’s uncle Harry wrote the book ‘The University of Spiritualism’ and her father was a well known speaker and medium. Muriel was an active member and Lyceum representative of the SNU London District Council and worked with Wilfred Watts and Pat Lee. Money from Muriel's estate was used to furnish the SLU Museum first at Hafan y Coed, then later at Darlington, in tribute to this the museum and library are named after her. In Muriel's later years she was cared for by her good friends Pat Lee and Wilfred Watts.

Mrs May Saxon of Huddersfield Albert and May Saxon collected many items of great historical value and gave them to the Lyceum museum. Two files with memorabilia of all kinds; newspaper cuttings, posters, invitations, and photographs that chronicle their lives over seventy year. May donated a collection of dolls to the Museum, each doll was bought in the country it represents. A pictorial scrap-book project, produced by May as a presentation for the SLU Awareness Scheme, outlines the history of the dolls. May also donated the glass cabinet in which they are housed.

Minister Jim Biggin & Molly Biggin Jim was brought up as a Spiritualist and has been an Lyceumist for most of his life. He held various positions on the Central Committee, including President. Jim is a Spiritualist healer and regularly works with patients at the Glasgow Association Spiritualists' Church. He has been a member of Heaton and Byker Lyceum (Newcastle upon Tyne) and Huddersfield Lyceum. Jim and his family attended summer schools in Scarborough and Stansted, in the 1960’s. Jim helped in the purchasing of new premises for the Glasgow Association, along with Dr John Winning. Jim has been Lyceum conductor at Glasgow, Church treasurer for many years as well as President. He still chairs services and officiates at weddings, namings and funerals. Molly met Jim during the war when they were both stationed on Mull, she as a Wren and he as a training officer in the navy. Jim introduced Molly to Spiritualism and, after a nervous sceptical start, Molly sat in a home circle and developed mediumship. She was the Lyceum education secretary for many years, being known as ‘Auntie Molly’. She studied with the Open University and, in her fifties, gained a BA degree. She took over as Lifeline Coordinator for a while in her seventies. Molly is probably best known for her ‘Little Singing Bird' stories, which appeared in the Banner for several years. Irene and George Biggin George and Irene Biggin regularly attended Lyceum conferences representing Glasgow Association Lyceum. George has been Lyceum conductor for many years. Irene has been Lyceum secretary and treasurer for even longer and despite suffering a stroke in her forties continued to lead the callisthenics each Sunday. George and Irene have always cared for the elderly, initially with their own parents, then befriending elderly church members who needed help such as doing DIY and including them in their holiday plans and Christmas festivities. Although both are not in good health, they continue to visit those whom they consider to be less fortunate than themselves.

Photographs, artefacts, original manuscripts and copies of books written by the early Spiritualist and Lyceum pioneers are held in the Lyceum Museum. People wishing to research and study our history or, who wish to see for themselves some of the interesting objects from our past are welcome to visit the Lyceum museum.