Fairy Investigation Society
Encyclopedia
The Fairy Investigation Society was founded in Britain in 1927 by a Sir Quentin Craufurd, MBE
, to collect information on fairy sightings. In 1983, a headquarters for the society was located in Blackrock, Dublin, Ireland
.
, however, members were dispersed and the society's records were largely lost or destroyed during the conflict. The society then became inactive for a while.
In 1955, with a new and energetic secretary
, the society was revived and began to issue a regular newsletter
. The newsletter had a listing of reports from members or other individuals. The society also sent out brochure
s to recruit new members.
, Ithell Colquhoun
, Leslie Alan Shepard, Hugh Dowding
, Walter Starkie
(of gypsy lore fame), and animator Walt Disney
.
As late as 1990, a society of the same name is rumored to be active.
MBE
MBE can stand for:* Mail Boxes Etc.* Management by exception* Master of Bioethics* Master of Bioscience Enterprise* Master of Business Engineering* Master of Business Economics* Mean Biased Error...
, to collect information on fairy sightings. In 1983, a headquarters for the society was located in Blackrock, Dublin, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
.
History
During its prime, the society organized meetings, lectures, and discussions for collecting evidence of fairy life. With the outbreak of World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, however, members were dispersed and the society's records were largely lost or destroyed during the conflict. The society then became inactive for a while.
In 1955, with a new and energetic secretary
Secretary
A secretary, or administrative assistant, is a person whose work consists of supporting management, including executives, using a variety of project management, communication & organizational skills. These functions may be entirely carried out to assist one other employee or may be for the benefit...
, the society was revived and began to issue a regular newsletter
Newsletter
A newsletter is a regularly distributed publication generally about one main topic that is of interest to its subscribers. Newspapers and leaflets are types of newsletters. Additionally, newsletters delivered electronically via email have gained rapid acceptance for the same reasons email in...
. The newsletter had a listing of reports from members or other individuals. The society also sent out brochure
Brochure
A brochure is a type of leaflet. Brochures are most commonly found at places that tourists frequently visit, such as museums, major shops, and tourist information. Brochure racks or stands may suggest visits to amusement parks and other points of interest...
s to recruit new members.
Famous members
During the late 1950s, there were at least fifty members, including famous people such as author Alasdair Alpin MacGregorAlasdair Alpin MacGregor
Alasdair Alpin MacGregor was a Scottish writer and photographer, known for a large number of travel books. He wrote also on Scottish folklore, and was a published poet.He was brought up in Tain and Inverness, and educated there and in Edinburgh...
, Ithell Colquhoun
Ithell Colquhoun
Ithell Colquhoun was a British Surrealist painter and author. She was born in Shillong, Eastern Bengal and Assam, British India...
, Leslie Alan Shepard, Hugh Dowding
Hugh Dowding, 1st Baron Dowding
Air Chief Marshal Hugh Caswall Tremenheere Dowding, 1st Baron Dowding GCB, GCVO, CMG was a British officer in the Royal Air Force...
, Walter Starkie
Walter Starkie
Walter Fitzwilliam Starkie CMG, CBE, Litt.D was an Irish scholar, Hispanist, author and musician.Born in Killiney, County Dublin, he was the eldest son of the noted Greek scholar and translator of Aristophanes, William Joseph Myles Starkie and May Caroline Walsh. Starkie grew up surrounded by...
(of gypsy lore fame), and animator Walt Disney
Walt Disney
Walter Elias "Walt" Disney was an American film producer, director, screenwriter, voice actor, animator, entrepreneur, entertainer, international icon, and philanthropist, well-known for his influence in the field of entertainment during the 20th century. Along with his brother Roy O...
.
Inactivity
As the society grew and became more well-known, newspaper articles ridiculing the sightings and study of fairies appeared. They claimed fairies were only a superstition of past centuries. The society once again became inactive.As late as 1990, a society of the same name is rumored to be active.
Weblinks
- Fairy Investigation Society Beachcombing's Bizarre History Blog Nov. 14, 2011