Burns, James (d. 1894)
Burns, James (d. 1894)
Pioneer British Spiritualist and publisher, who founded the influential weekly newspaper the Medium in 1869, later absorbed with the Daybreak. Burns also established the Progressive Library and Spiritual Institution in Holborn, London, 1863. With their annual subscription, members were entitled to borrow from the thousands of Spiritualist publications available. The institute was also a center and meeting place for Spiritualists in London and organized programs of séances, developing circles and concerts. Burns was criticized because he opposed such other organizations as the National Association of Spiritualists. However, he established a great reputation as a courageous and tireless worker in the cause of Spiritualism. He died December 30, 1894.