Myers, John (d. 1972)

Prominent British medium who demonstrated psychic healing and spirit photography. Originally a London dentist, he visited a psychical research society in 1931 where a medium warned him of a possible defect in his automobile. His interest in psychic phenomena so piqued, Myers visited the Stead Bureau (see Julia's Bureau ), founded by W. T. Stead. He met the medium Ada Emma Deane, who practiced psychic photography and tried the phenomena for himself, with successful results. He also discovered a mediumistic talent.

In his séances, Myers would enter into semi-trance while standing and was controlled by "Blackfoot," an American Indian. From clairvoyant impressions, he would describe the presence of spirit forms and, quite frequently, the extra that would appear on a photographic plate.

He was challenged by the Marquess of Donegall. In the presence of the art editor of the Sunday Dispatch, journalist Hannen Swaffer, and stage magician Will Goldston, Donegall filled Myers's camera (which he examined) with his own marked plates, took six pictures in bright light while Myers simply stood by, and developed them himself.

Two of the plates showed extras that neither Donegall nor the art editor could explain (Sunday Dispatch, October 9, 1932). The following week, however, after another sitting, Donegall accused Myers of substituting plates.

In the l930s, Myers was consulted by Laurence Parish, a New York businessman, who was greatly impressed by his psychic photography. Myers was also instrumental in the psychic healing of Parish's sciatica and restoring normal eyesight after years of defective vision. After these miraculous cures, Parish invited Myers to join his company in New York. Myers accepted and eventually became vice president of the company.

Sources:

Barbanell, Maurice. He Walks in Two Worlds: The Story of John Myers, Psychic Photographer, Healer and Philanthropist. London: n.p., 1964.