Mumler, Medium, Manipulator

Spiritualism was in full swing by the mid 1800s, with the dead speaking through raps on wood, the mouths of mediums, through seances, and even photography. The promise of spirit photography was one incredibly appealing to those left in the rubble of the Civil War- and of the spirit photographers none was more famous than William Mumler.

When posing for a photograph, the sitter would have their picture snapped the same as any normal portrait process, except when their photo was returned, it came with the haunting image of loved ones lost hovering nearby- close enough to touch. These beloved would be invisible to the naked eye, but to the camera they could manifest and deliver their final message of comfort to the grieving people they left below. It was the perfect blend of science and mysticism, or so it had seemed.

Photo editing did not start with Photoshop. It was easy to overlap two negatives together to create a fused image, leaving a ghostly figure from one photograph imprinted on another. Several spirit photographers used these methods to fake photos that arguably preyed on loss felt by those who came for their services. Mumler was unique in the fact that he used a single negative, but he was hardly unique in the questionable practice of profiteering from grief.

Through his photographs, Mumler's fame and business grew- even at one point servicing Mary Todd Lincoln by providing her with the ghostly image of president Abraham Lincoln over the widow's shoulders. As his name spread, those who were skeptical of Mumler's claims finally began to emerge from the woodwork. Some began to note that a few figures in the photographs were actually depicting those still living. By 1869, police had began investigating Mumler for swindling people of their money with his fraudulent photographs.

Mumler was eventually brought to trial where several people testified against him- even the notorious hoaxer himself P.T. Barnum. The showman had found Mumler's claims dubious, and ended up creating a spirit photo of his own, featuring Abraham Lincoln, to prove that the images created were false. Eventually, it was decided by the court that there was no evidence to directly prove that Mumler's images were falsified, and he was acquitted.

Despite the negative press brought by the trial, he still managed to get enough clients to earn a wage, though his popularity had greatly declined. The appeal of spirit-photography outweighed the fact he'd been a proven fraud. With the decline of interest in spiritualism, however, Mumler's business finally fell. Mumler died destitute- his fame and fortune being just as fleeting as the wisps of spirits he claimed to capture.

---

History on Mumler

The Smithsonian on Mumler

Mashable on Mumler's Spirit Photos

WeirdHistorian on Mumler