Thomas Charles Lethbridge
Encyclopedia
Thomas Charles Lethbridge (3 March 1901 – 30 September 1971) was a British
explorer, archaeologist and parapsychologist
. According to the historian Ronald Hutton
, Lethbridge's "status as a scholar never really rose above that of an unusually lively local antiquary" for he had a "contempt for professionalism in all fields" and purported theories that were never accepted by the mainstream archaeological community.
, Cambridge University at the age of eighteen, where he discovered an interest in archaeology. Once he had completed his degree, he began working as a voluntary digger for Louis Clarke
, the curator of the Archaeological Museum in Cambridge. Although he had a private income, Lethbridge became the keeper of Anglo-Saxon
antiquities at the museum. He remained in Cambridge until 1957, bored with what he called “the academic trade-unionism” that existed within his profession. During this time he wrote a series of books about Early Medieval
Britain. These, however, are generally eclipsed by the much more famous and controversial series of books he wrote at his home, Hole House, in Branscombe
, Devon
between 1961 and his death in 1971. Lethbridge claimed there is a link between the length of a pendulum and the object being doused for (see 'external links' below).
, dowsing
, psychokinesis
and even aliens
. His book The Power of the Pendulum, documents his research into dowsing by means of the pendulum. Lethbridge died while the book was still in draft form.
The book is a conclusion to the author's lifelong study of the worlds of the unexplained and the occult. Through his experience with the pendulum and his work with dreams, Lethbridge concluded that there are other realms of reality beyond this one and that the soul is probably immortal.
and Colin Wilson
, released A Giant: The Definitive T.C. Lethbridge, a set containing a booklet and two CDs containing music accompanying discussions of Lethbridge's work. Terry Welbourn's (Welbourn Tekh) biography entitled T.C. Lethbridge: The Man who Saw the Future is to be published by O-Books on 27th May 2011.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
explorer, archaeologist and parapsychologist
Parapsychology
The term parapsychology was coined in or around 1889 by philosopher Max Dessoir, and originates from para meaning "alongside", and psychology. The term was adopted by J.B. Rhine in the 1930s as a replacement for the term psychical research...
. According to the historian Ronald Hutton
Ronald Hutton
Ronald Hutton is an English historian who specializes in the study of Early Modern Britain, British folklore, pre-Christian religion and contemporary Paganism. A reader in the subject at the University of Bristol, Hutton has published fourteen books and has appeared on British television and radio...
, Lethbridge's "status as a scholar never really rose above that of an unusually lively local antiquary" for he had a "contempt for professionalism in all fields" and purported theories that were never accepted by the mainstream archaeological community.
Life
Lethbridge was educated at Wellington College, before attending Trinity College, CambridgeTrinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Trinity has more members than any other college in Cambridge or Oxford, with around 700 undergraduates, 430 graduates, and over 170 Fellows...
, Cambridge University at the age of eighteen, where he discovered an interest in archaeology. Once he had completed his degree, he began working as a voluntary digger for Louis Clarke
Louis Clarke
Louis Alfred "Pinky" Clarke was an American athlete, winner of a gold medal in 4x100 m relay at the 1924 Summer Olympics.Clarke was Jewish, and was born in Statesville, North Carolina...
, the curator of the Archaeological Museum in Cambridge. Although he had a private income, Lethbridge became the keeper of Anglo-Saxon
Anglo-Saxons
Anglo-Saxon is a term used by historians to designate the Germanic tribes who invaded and settled the south and east of Great Britain beginning in the early 5th century AD, and the period from their creation of the English nation to the Norman conquest. The Anglo-Saxon Era denotes the period of...
antiquities at the museum. He remained in Cambridge until 1957, bored with what he called “the academic trade-unionism” that existed within his profession. During this time he wrote a series of books about Early Medieval
Early Middle Ages
The Early Middle Ages was the period of European history lasting from the 5th century to approximately 1000. The Early Middle Ages followed the decline of the Western Roman Empire and preceded the High Middle Ages...
Britain. These, however, are generally eclipsed by the much more famous and controversial series of books he wrote at his home, Hole House, in Branscombe
Branscombe, Devon
Branscombe is a village in the East Devon district of the English county of Devon.The parish covers 13.92 square kilometres . Its permanent population in 2009 was estimated at 513 by the Family Health Services Authority...
, Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
between 1961 and his death in 1971. Lethbridge claimed there is a link between the length of a pendulum and the object being doused for (see 'external links' below).
Occult studies
Lethbridge was a dedicated researcher who considered matters known as "the occult" with what he considered to be a scientific approach and put forward theories on ghosts, witchcraftWitchcraft
Witchcraft, in historical, anthropological, religious, and mythological contexts, is the alleged use of supernatural or magical powers. A witch is a practitioner of witchcraft...
, dowsing
Dowsing
Dowsing is a type of divination employed in attempts to locate ground water, buried metals or ores, gemstones, oil, gravesites, and many other objects and materials, as well as so-called currents of earth radiation , without the use of scientific apparatus...
, psychokinesis
Psychokinesis
The term psychokinesis , also referred to as telekinesis with respect to strictly describing movement of matter, sometimes abbreviated PK and TK respectively, is a term...
and even aliens
Extraterrestrial life
Extraterrestrial life is defined as life that does not originate from Earth...
. His book The Power of the Pendulum, documents his research into dowsing by means of the pendulum. Lethbridge died while the book was still in draft form.
The book is a conclusion to the author's lifelong study of the worlds of the unexplained and the occult. Through his experience with the pendulum and his work with dreams, Lethbridge concluded that there are other realms of reality beyond this one and that the soul is probably immortal.
Legacy
Whilst Lethbridge and his theories were largely ignored by the archaeological community following his death, interest in him and his parapsychological ideas has been maintained within the esoteric community. In 2003, a group of admirers of his work calling themselves "the Hula-Sons of T.C. Lethbridge" (Doggen Foster, Kevlar Bales and Welbourn Tekh), with the aid of Julian CopeJulian Cope
Julian Cope is a British rock musician, author, antiquary, musicologist, poet and cultural commentator...
and Colin Wilson
Colin Wilson
Colin Henry Wilson is a prolific English writer who first came to prominence as a philosopher and novelist. Wilson has since written widely on true crime, mysticism and other topics. He prefers calling his philosophy new existentialism or phenomenological existentialism.- Early biography:Born and...
, released A Giant: The Definitive T.C. Lethbridge, a set containing a booklet and two CDs containing music accompanying discussions of Lethbridge's work. Terry Welbourn's (Welbourn Tekh) biography entitled T.C. Lethbridge: The Man who Saw the Future is to be published by O-Books on 27th May 2011.