This inuagural online lecture by Dr Nick Richbell will explore the journey of one of the most famous mediums of the 20th century. Join us for this free event. Book today to ensure you reserve your place. The zoom link to join is contained in your ticket.
Dr. Nick Richbell received his PhD in History from the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada. His research focuses on the history of Spiritualism, and his doctoral dissertation examined the life and influence of the medium Maurice Barbanell and his spirit guide, Silver Birch.
Nick’s book, Silver Birch’s Medium: Maurice Barbanell & Twentieth-Century Spiritualism is based on his doctoral research, and it expands on his dissertation with previously unpublished photographs, two new chapters, and substantial revisions incorporating newly discovered archival material.
The book traces Barbanell’s remarkable journey from London’s East End to becoming an internationally known advocate for Spiritualism. Along the way, it explores legal controversies, clashes with religious critics, extensive speaking tours in North America, and his central role in promoting the teachings of Silver Birch.
Through archival research in libraries and archives across the United Kingdom and North America, Nick sought to place Barbanell’s life within the wider history of modern Spiritualism and to understand why his influence continues to resonate today.
The resulting book tells the story of a man who spent his life bridging the worlds of the living and the dead, while simultaneously navigating the very human challenges of controversy, belief, and public scrutiny. Silver Birch’s Medium will be released on September 10, 2026, and is available for pre-order.
Originally from London, England, Nick is currently Head of Special Collections and Archives at Clemson University in South Carolina. Prior to joining Clemson, he led the Special Collections and Archives department at the University of Waterloo. His professional career has also included managing the archives of the Canadian Pacific Railway in Montreal and working at both the McGill University Archives and the McGill University Health Centre.
Follow Nick on Instagram @officialdrspooky, Facebook @DrSpooky and on his website, drspooky.com
