Mina Crandon

Mina Crandon, born in 1888, was a prominent American psychic medium who captivated audiences under the stage name 'Margery'. She claimed to channel her deceased brother, Walter Stinson, which drew significant attention and controversy during her career.

Despite her claims of paranormal abilities, investigations conducted by various experts, including the renowned magician Harry Houdini, revealed that Crandon's skills were not genuine. Her performances were scrutinized by the American Society for Psychical Research and the Scientific American, leading to conclusions that she engaged in deception.

Crandon's notoriety was further amplified by the endorsement of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the famed author of Sherlock Holmes, who supported her alleged abilities. However, the subsequent debunking of her claims by Houdini and others marked a significant moment in the history of magic and parapsychology.

In her personal life, Mina was married to Dr. Le Roi Goddard Crandon, a wealthy Boston surgeon and socialite. Her life and career have been extensively documented, reflecting the intersection of magic, belief, and skepticism in early twentieth-century America.