Between 1901 and 1930, a long series of cross-correspondences were reported
in the writings and utterances of several automatists who were situated in
various locations around the world.
The cross-correspondences appeared initially in the automatic scripts of two
individuals. Mrs. Margaret Verrall, a lecturer in Classics at Cambridge
University, had been producing automatic writing for some time and reported that
these scripts characteristically contained a mixture of puns and verse, literary
references and quotations, and references to acquaintances (Verrall, 1906). The
second was 'Mrs. Holland' (the pseudonym of Mrs. Alice Fleming who was living in
India), whose scripts contained elements that appeared to correspond with
elements of the scripts produced by Mrs. Verrall (Johnson, 1908-9). Soon
afterwards, cross-correspondences were being reported between the scripts of a
number of additional mediums. These included Helen Verrall (Margaret Verrall's
daughter), Mrs 'Willett' (the pseudonym of Mrs. Winifred Coombe-Tennant) and
Mrs. Leonora Piper.
The cross-correspondences have received considerable attention from the SPR,
both at the time they were produced and in the years that have followed. There
are two main reasons for this strong interest: (1) the messages produced by the
mediums were allegedly post-mortem communications from deceased founders of the
SPR; (2) it was alleged the nature of the correspondences between scripts
provided strong support for the 'survival hypothesis' that was difficult to
explain in terms of ESP. Indeed, the cross-correspondences continue to be
heralded as among the strongest evidence in favour of post-mortem survival
(e.g., Roy, 1998).
Automatic scripts of Margaret Verrall and Helen Verrall
(later Mrs W H Salter) 1901-32; notes and correspondence relating
to scripts and "cross - correspondences" 1900-49;
unpublished printed volumes of scripts by the Verralls,
"Mrs Holland" [ie Alice Fleming], "Mrs Willett" [ie
Mrs Coombe Tennant], Mrs Stuart Wilson and the Mackinnons;
other printed volumes relating to automatic phenomena; index to
automatic scripts; 14 items from Salter's papers at the
SPR; College correspondence re Salter papers
12 boxes. Listed and indexed. Restricted access to College correspondence re Salter papers.
MRS. MARGARET VERRALL
