Burns, James (d. 1894)
Pioneer British Spiritualist and publisher, who founded the
influential weekly newspaper the Medium in 1869, later abEncyclopedia
of Occultism & Parapsychology 5th Ed. Burns, James
229
sorbed with the Daybreak. Burns also established the Progressive
Library and Spiritual Institution in Holborn, London,
1863. With their annual subscription, members were entitled
to borrow from the thousands of Spiritualist publications available.
The institute was also a center and meeting place for Spiritualists
in London and organized programs of séances, developing
circles and concerts. Burns was criticized because he
opposed such other organizations as the National Association
of Spiritualists. However, he established a great reputation as
a courageous and tireless worker in the cause of Spiritualism.
He died December 30, 1894.
