A Ghost in the Machine? Spirit Photography, c.1860-1930 at Arnos Vale Cemetery

About this event

Could photography capture the dead? In the late Victorian period and after the First World War, spirit photography captivated the public by seemingly revealing ghostly figures alongside the living. For many grieving families, these images offered the hope that technology could provide a link to those who had passed away. In this fascinating talk, Dr Helen Frisby explores the rise and fall of spirit photography, examining both the frauds behind the phenomenon and the deeper human desires it reflected. Through stories of deception, belief, grief and remembrance, she reveals how people sought evidence of life beyond death and new ways to maintain connections with lost loved ones. Please note: this presentation includes examples of spirit and post-mortem photography. About the speaker Dr Helen Frisby is a historian, author of Traditions of Death and Burial, and Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Bath. She has taught history at the University of the West of England and funeral directing at the University of Bath, and currently serves as Honorary Secretary of The Folklore Society. Helen has also appeared on BBC radio and The History Channel. Online and in-person tickets cost £

Event details

Date

Wednesday, 21 October 2026

Start time

12:00

Venue

Arnos Vale Cemetery

See venue website, Bristol,

Getting there & venue info

Good to know

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