The Cottingley Fairies: Arthur Wright’s Photographs (1917–1921)

In the early years of the 20th century, a pair of Yorkshire girls captured what would become one of the most debated and intriguing paranormal phenomena in history—the Cottingley Fairies. Between 1917 and 1921, Elsie Wright and her cousin Frances Griffiths would take five photographs that would launch an international investigation into the existence of faeries and spark a wider debate about spiritualism and photography.

The History and Background

The story begins in Cottingley, a small village near Bradford, England. In 1917, Elsie Wright was just thirteen years old, and her cousin Frances Griffiths, four years younger, lived with their widowed mother, Sarah Wright. The sisters were close friends and enjoyed playing in the woods around their home. One day, while using a camera borrowed from Frances’s father, Elsie suggested they take pictures of fairies.

Key Events or Sightings

1917: The First Photographs

On May 20, 1917, Elsie and Frances ventured into the woods near their home. According to Frances, Elsie had seen a fairy in the garden that morning and wanted proof of its existence. They set up their camera—a Kodak Brownie—and took five photographs over several months. The first two images, taken on May 20 and August 31, 1917, featured Elsie posing with what appeared to be fairies.

1918: The Second Pair of Photographs

In July 1918, the girls returned to the woods and took another pair of photographs. This time, Frances was the subject, standing in front of a tree while holding what seemed to be fairies on her arm. These images were taken on July 20 and August 5, 1918.

Witness Accounts or Evidence

The Wright sisters kept their photographic project secret for several years until Elsie’s father, Arthur Wright, showed the photographs to a friend who was also a keen spiritualist, Edward Gardner. Gardner recognized the significance of the images and arranged for a meeting with Lady Margaret Murray, an expert on witchcraft and magic. Murray examined the photographs and concluded that they were genuine.

Investigations or Research

1920: The Spiritualist Movement’s Interest

Lady Margaret Murray was intrigued by the images and introduced them to the Society for Psychical Research (SPR). The SPR conducted a thorough investigation, interviewing the Wright sisters and studying the photographs under close scrutiny. The investigators found no evidence of tampering or double exposure, which led them to conclude that the fairies in the photographs were real.

1921: Public Exposure

In January 1921, The Strand Magazine published an article about the Cottingley Fairies and featured the photographs. This public exposure attracted widespread attention from both believers and skeptics. Many people wrote letters to the magazine offering their opinions or sharing similar experiences of seeing fairies.

The Current Status / Ongoing Mystery

Despite the SPR’s initial findings, a significant portion of the scientific community remained skeptical. In 1983, Robert Murch, an investigative journalist, discovered that Elsie Wright had confessed to faking the photographs in 1980. She admitted that she had used cardboard cutouts and toy soldiers to create the images.

Elsie’s confession sparked a renewed debate about the authenticity of the photographs. Some believe that even if the fairies were not real, the photographs still hold value as early examples of manipulated photography. Others argue that the persistence of belief in their authenticity speaks to deeper cultural and psychological factors at play.

Frequently Asked Questions (5 Q&A pairs)

Q: Were the Cottingley Fairies photographs proven fake?

A: In 1983, Elsie Wright confessed to faking the photographs using cardboard cutouts. However, this does not negate the impact of the images on the public imagination and their role in the broader history of paranormal investigation.

Q: How did Lady Margaret Murray contribute to the case?

A: Lady Margaret Murray, an expert in witchcraft and magic, examined the photographs and concluded that they were genuine. She then introduced them to the Society for Psychical Research (SPR), which further investigated the claims.

Q: Why did the Society for Psychical Research initially believe the fairies’ existence?

A: The SPR conducted a thorough investigation and found no evidence of tampering or double exposure. Their initial belief was based on these findings, as well as their expertise in psychical research.

Q: How did the public reaction to the photographs change over time?

A: Initially, there was great interest and speculation about the authenticity of the photographs. The 1920s saw a mix of belief and skepticism, but by the 1980s, Elsie’s confession led many to reconsider the case.

Q: What are some theories behind the persistence of belief in the Cottingley Fairies?

A: Some suggest that the images tapped into deep-seated cultural beliefs in fairies and magic. Others argue that the photographs challenged conventional notions of reality and opened up new avenues for spiritual exploration.