Violet Tweedale
Encyclopedia
Violet Tweedale, née Chambers (1862 - 19 December 1936), was a Scottish
author, poet, and spiritualist.
, the eldest daughter of Robert Chambers, editor of Chambers' Journal
, and the granddaughter of Robert Chambers, the publisher and founder of W & R Chambers. In her teens she assisted her father in his work, and in 1889 moved to London
where she had her first novel, "And They Too", published, and became involved in humanitarian "rescue work" in the East End. In 1891, she married Clarens Tweedale.
In London, she moved in the best social circles, counting amongst her friends, poet Robert Browning
, artist Frederic Leighton
, Anne Proctor (mother of Adelaide Proctor) and many others. She also had influential contacts abroad including, Marie, Countess of Caithness, Duchesse de Pomar, who was close to prominent Theosophist, Helena Blavatsky.
Claiming to be psychic
from a young age, she became involved in Spiritualism and Theosophy, and was a close associate of Helena Blavatsky. She worked with the mediums Charles Williams and Cecil Husk (1847-1920), and was called as an expert witness when trance medium
, Meurig Morris, sued the Daily Mail
for libel in April 1932 - although the case went against Morris, no fraud or dishonesty on the medium's part was proven. Tweedale was also a member of the Order of the Golden Dawn
.
She was a prolific writer of short stories
, published as anthologies
, and novels, often with a romantic or supernatural theme. She wrote over 30 books on spiritual subjects, such as "The Cosmic Christ" (1930), and her own personal psychic experiences were documented in "Ghosts I have Seen" (1920). Apart from her literary output, she was a gifted amateur artist, embroiderer
, accomplished pianist and fine Golf
er; she was also a skilled orator who spoke up for workers' rights.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
author, poet, and spiritualist.
Life and work
Violet Chambers was born in EdinburghEdinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, the eldest daughter of Robert Chambers, editor of Chambers' Journal
Chambers's Edinburgh Journal
Chambers's Edinburgh Journal was a weekly 16-page magazine started by William Chambers in 1832. The first edition was dated 4 February 1832, and priced at one penny. Topics included history, religion, language, and science...
, and the granddaughter of Robert Chambers, the publisher and founder of W & R Chambers. In her teens she assisted her father in his work, and in 1889 moved to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
where she had her first novel, "And They Too", published, and became involved in humanitarian "rescue work" in the East End. In 1891, she married Clarens Tweedale.
In London, she moved in the best social circles, counting amongst her friends, poet Robert Browning
Robert Browning
Robert Browning was an English poet and playwright whose mastery of dramatic verse, especially dramatic monologues, made him one of the foremost Victorian poets.-Early years:...
, artist Frederic Leighton
Frederic Leighton, 1st Baron Leighton
Frederic Leighton, 1st Baron Leighton PRA , known as Sir Frederic Leighton, Bt, between 1886 and 1896, was an English painter and sculptor. His works depicted historical, biblical and classical subject matter...
, Anne Proctor (mother of Adelaide Proctor) and many others. She also had influential contacts abroad including, Marie, Countess of Caithness, Duchesse de Pomar, who was close to prominent Theosophist, Helena Blavatsky.
Claiming to be psychic
Psychic
A psychic is a person who professes an ability to perceive information hidden from the normal senses through extrasensory perception , or is said by others to have such abilities. It is also used to describe theatrical performers who use techniques such as prestidigitation, cold reading, and hot...
from a young age, she became involved in Spiritualism and Theosophy, and was a close associate of Helena Blavatsky. She worked with the mediums Charles Williams and Cecil Husk (1847-1920), and was called as an expert witness when trance medium
Mediumship
Mediumship is described as a form of communication with spirits. It is a practice in religious beliefs such as Spiritualism, Spiritism, Espiritismo, Candomblé, Voodoo and Umbanda.- Concept :...
, Meurig Morris, sued the Daily Mail
Daily Mail
The Daily Mail is a British daily middle-market tabloid newspaper owned by the Daily Mail and General Trust. First published in 1896 by Lord Northcliffe, it is the United Kingdom's second biggest-selling daily newspaper after The Sun. Its sister paper The Mail on Sunday was launched in 1982...
for libel in April 1932 - although the case went against Morris, no fraud or dishonesty on the medium's part was proven. Tweedale was also a member of the Order of the Golden Dawn
Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn
The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn was a magical order active in Great Britain during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, which practiced theurgy and spiritual development...
.
She was a prolific writer of short stories
Short Stories
Short Stories may refer to:*A plural for Short story*Short Stories , an American pulp magazine published from 1890-1959*Short Stories, a 1954 collection by O. E...
, published as anthologies
Anthology
An anthology is a collection of literary works chosen by the compiler. It may be a collection of poems, short stories, plays, songs, or excerpts...
, and novels, often with a romantic or supernatural theme. She wrote over 30 books on spiritual subjects, such as "The Cosmic Christ" (1930), and her own personal psychic experiences were documented in "Ghosts I have Seen" (1920). Apart from her literary output, she was a gifted amateur artist, embroiderer
Embroidery
Embroidery is the art or handicraft of decorating fabric or other materials with needle and thread or yarn. Embroidery may also incorporate other materials such as metal strips, pearls, beads, quills, and sequins....
, accomplished pianist and fine Golf
Golf
Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
er; she was also a skilled orator who spoke up for workers' rights.