Lincoln and Spirutalism

[RJNorton]

According to Lincoln Day By Day, edited by Earl Schenck Miers, President Lincoln “allegedly attended a spiritualist séance in the White House” on April 23, 1863. I have always trusted this source when it comes to Lincoln's daily activities. No other séances attended by Lincoln are cited in the book.

In her bio of Mary Jean Baker writes that there may have been up to eight séances in the White House, but "the spiritualists claimed too much when they made Abraham Lincoln a believer. Certainly the president accepted presents and even read letters and books from mediums, but he was just a curious man with a persuaded wife."

Baker writes that it was Elizabeth Keckly who probably was most responsible for Mary's interest in spiritualism.