Cora Richmond

First on the list of trance mediums to investigate should be Mrs. Cora LV Richmond. She was born in Cuba, New York, in 1840 and died in Chicago in early 1923. As a small child, people traveled miles to sit with her and be healed. By the time she was 15, she was already entering trances and transmitting messages that influenced the course of American history. Highest spiritual beings spoke through Cora. She attracted thousands of followers from around the world, inspired the brightest minds of the 19th century, and was the first American woman to earn her own living.

She organized the first Parliament of Religions in Chicago (and was soon banned from attending!). The first Spiritualist Church for her followers, called the Soul Church, was also founded in Chicago.

She wrote numerous books, and her trance-delivered utterances were also published. She taught the most gifted mediums and attracted thousands of people to Cassadaga Camp (later renamed Lilydale) each year.