Elliott O'Donnell

Elliott O'Donnell (1872-1965) was a British author and paranormal investigator, widely recognized for his extensive contributions to the supernatural genre, particularly his numerous books about ghosts and hauntings.

Born in England, O'Donnell was the son of an Irish clergyman and an Englishwoman. He attended Clifton College in England and Queen's Service Academy in Dublin, Ireland. Before becoming a full-time writer and ghost hunter, O'Donnell had an adventurous life that included serving in the British Auxiliary Army during World War I, working as a schoolmaster, actor, cattleman in Oregon, and a policeman in America during the Chicago Railway Strike of 1894.

O'Donnell claimed to have experienced numerous paranormal encounters throughout his life. These included seeing a spectral figure at the age of five and being strangled by a phantom in Dublin. He often claimed his popular ghost stories were based on personal experiences, leading him to be considered a leading authority on the supernatural during his time.

O'Donnell firmly believed in ghosts, but explicitly stated he was not a spiritualist, viewing spiritualism as blasphemous and dangerous. O'Donnell's most significant contribution was in the realm of supernatural fiction and non-fiction. He wrote over 50 books focusing on ghosts, hauntings, folklore, and other paranormal phenomena. Some of his popular works include:

Confessions of a Ghost Hunter, Twenty Years' Experience as a Ghost Hunter, Scottish Ghost Stories, Haunted Places in England, The Banshee.

His writing style combined personal anecdotes and meticulous research with engaging narratives, blurring the lines between documentation and storytelling. O'Donnell's unique blend of detailed research and engaging storytelling made his work popular among readers interested in the supernatural. He was a well-known figure in his time, appearing as a paranormal expert on radio and television programs in both Britain and the United States. Elliott O'Donnell died on May 8, 1965, at the age of 93.

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