The Spiritualist Convictions of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

By the later 19th century, spiritualism had grown into a worldwide movement and séances were commonplace, even family affairs. The whole movement was dominated by women, Bechtel and Stains note, many of whom were also active in the suffragist cause. Though not believers themselves, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony affirmed that “The only religious sect in the world .  .  . that has recognized the equality of woman, is the Spiritualists.”