Desmond, Shaw (1877-1960)

Irish novelist and dramatist, born on January 19, 1877, who studied psychic phenomena for 25 years. He was president of the Survival League and once said that he believed it impossible for anything to stop him from surviving. He was an eloquent propagandist of Spiritualism and lectured around the world. Three of his books, Passion, Gods, and Echo, have a psychic background, while Tales of the Little Sisters of Saint Francis is based on the author's experience with fairies. Windjammer: The Book of the Horn is an account of a 7,000-mile journey, undertaken partly to study black magic.

Desmond was born in county Waterford, Ireland, January 19, 1877, and was educated by Irish monks. At the age of 15 he left school to go into business in London, but returned to Ireland to farm. In 1909 he concentrated on literature and journalism. He founded the short-lived International Institute for Psychical Research, and wrote more than 60 books, many of which have psychic themes. He died December 23, 1960.