13 thoughts on “NATURE’S MISSIONARY -SETH LISTER MOSLEY, Naturalist, Museum Curator and Mystic 1848-1929”
I found this very interesting, particularly the way in which Seth integrated his work in natural history with his interests in mysticism. I gave a talk a while ago at the Tolson museum about Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and the Cottingley fairies case, though I didn’t know at the time that there was such a direct connection. I wonder, would you mind identifying the date of the column in which Seth mentions his meeting with Elsie Wright?
Thanks for your inquiry. The reference is in Seth’s column in the Examiner of 24 Sept 1921. I have a chapter specifically on his religious and mystical beliefs but it is not completed yet. I got sidetracked by a study of Nature mysticism in his lifetime, Jeffries, ‘Michael Fairless’ etc.
Thanks for your interest, Steve. It is in the final throes of the editing stage and it is to be decided whether it will just appear as a (free) ebook or in hard copy. Whatever the outcome I will notify people on this page.
I just found your book at Waterstones on Friday . Only read the first chapter which is fascinating in the historical detail. One thing I must raise is Seth’s DOB .I have a copy of the birth certificate which gives the birth as being on 23/03/1847 and was registered on 1/05/47. I obtained this when the local Bird Club had placed a pdf of the Birds of Huddersfield District on its web site and with Mike Pinder was trying to find how many copies exist . I know of 3 ‘full’ copies locally .
Dear Stephen. Thanks for that info. I use the date that Seth himself used and was used in his obituary . I have a copy of his Birds of Huddersfield which just has one plate missing. Anymore feedback please let us know. Season’s greetings, Alan.
Dear Alan,
Sorry, I missed your reply on email at first and have responded on the web site. I understand that ‘Complete’ copies are of 39 plates and 37 maps . The Bird Club borrowed a member’s supposedly complete copy for the pdf . That member tried to track down how many copies remain and I assisted .
I came across a puzzle . The member’s copy has a plate of Eared grebe ( now Black-necked Grebe) but not of Red- necked Grebe . A copy came up for auction, when I was recovering from chemo and very low and wanted something to enjoy , but I learned of it too late to bid and it was withdrawn when the lowest estimate of £2000 was not reached .
I discovered that this copy had a plate of Red-necked Grebe but not Eared Grebe. I discovered it was not the only copy with Red-necked Grebe . But I found no copy with both plates.
The pdf was replaced with a second edition containing both plates. I suspect the Red-necked Grebe plate was also used in another publication perhaps British Birds.
It was just curiosity and having little else to do whilst recuperating that led me down this research track. I have not retained the detail, but the member with the copy( and a part copy) probably has it logged.
Which Grebe is in your copy or have you both? I will pass on the information for the member’s records if you do not mind.
Best wishes and seasons greetings
Stephen
p.s. I could email a copy of the birth certificate if you wish.
Sent from my iPad
Great detective work ! My copy has the ‘eared grebe’. The missing plate is the great tit. Are the grebes in BoH the same as as in British Birds , since he did a lot of illustrations which only appeared as postcards. I would indeed like to have a copy of the birth certificate. My email is pambye_5@hotmail.com. Sorry to hear that you have been ill and hope that you are on the road to recovery.
In hi brief autobiography he specifically not only says that he was born on 16 March 1848 and he ties that in with ‘thundery Sunday’ of that 2 April of that year. He even includes an illustration of a plaque recording the destruction of a butcher’s shop at Berry Brow. Would it be possible to send us a copy of the birth certificate . I would like it to be right since my birthday is also 23 March !
I think his age reported at his death was incorrect and led to the error. A date of birth on a birth certificate in those days can be wrong but very improbable that the year is wrong. The Club came across the discrepancy so I sent for the certificate.
But all through his life he repeated the 16 March 1848 date – and the connection to the storm of April of that year. So it wasn’t an error arising when he died but a date he perpetuated himself on several ocassions in his life. He was often vague about biographical information as I say in the book. So I wonder why he was so explicit about this key date if it was incorrect ? Was he misled by his parents ? If so, why ? Where was the birth registered and what information is given about his parents ? You have given me plenty food for thought, Stephen.
Underground Histories 
I found this very interesting, particularly the way in which Seth integrated his work in natural history with his interests in mysticism. I gave a talk a while ago at the Tolson museum about Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and the Cottingley fairies case, though I didn’t know at the time that there was such a direct connection. I wonder, would you mind identifying the date of the column in which Seth mentions his meeting with Elsie Wright?
Thanks for your inquiry. The reference is in Seth’s column in the Examiner of 24 Sept 1921. I have a chapter specifically on his religious and mystical beliefs but it is not completed yet. I got sidetracked by a study of Nature mysticism in his lifetime, Jeffries, ‘Michael Fairless’ etc.
Has your book been published?
Thanks for your interest, Steve. It is in the final throes of the editing stage and it is to be decided whether it will just appear as a (free) ebook or in hard copy. Whatever the outcome I will notify people on this page.
I just found your book at Waterstones on Friday . Only read the first chapter which is fascinating in the historical detail. One thing I must raise is Seth’s DOB .I have a copy of the birth certificate which gives the birth as being on 23/03/1847 and was registered on 1/05/47. I obtained this when the local Bird Club had placed a pdf of the Birds of Huddersfield District on its web site and with Mike Pinder was trying to find how many copies exist . I know of 3 ‘full’ copies locally .
Dear Stephen. Thanks for that info. I use the date that Seth himself used and was used in his obituary . I have a copy of his Birds of Huddersfield which just has one plate missing. Anymore feedback please let us know. Season’s greetings, Alan.
Dear Alan,
Sorry, I missed your reply on email at first and have responded on the web site. I understand that ‘Complete’ copies are of 39 plates and 37 maps . The Bird Club borrowed a member’s supposedly complete copy for the pdf . That member tried to track down how many copies remain and I assisted .
I came across a puzzle . The member’s copy has a plate of Eared grebe ( now Black-necked Grebe) but not of Red- necked Grebe . A copy came up for auction, when I was recovering from chemo and very low and wanted something to enjoy , but I learned of it too late to bid and it was withdrawn when the lowest estimate of £2000 was not reached .
I discovered that this copy had a plate of Red-necked Grebe but not Eared Grebe. I discovered it was not the only copy with Red-necked Grebe . But I found no copy with both plates.
The pdf was replaced with a second edition containing both plates. I suspect the Red-necked Grebe plate was also used in another publication perhaps British Birds.
It was just curiosity and having little else to do whilst recuperating that led me down this research track. I have not retained the detail, but the member with the copy( and a part copy) probably has it logged.
Which Grebe is in your copy or have you both? I will pass on the information for the member’s records if you do not mind.
Best wishes and seasons greetings
Stephen
p.s. I could email a copy of the birth certificate if you wish.
Sent from my iPad
Great detective work ! My copy has the ‘eared grebe’. The missing plate is the great tit. Are the grebes in BoH the same as as in British Birds , since he did a lot of illustrations which only appeared as postcards. I would indeed like to have a copy of the birth certificate. My email is pambye_5@hotmail.com. Sorry to hear that you have been ill and hope that you are on the road to recovery.
In hi brief autobiography he specifically not only says that he was born on 16 March 1848 and he ties that in with ‘thundery Sunday’ of that 2 April of that year. He even includes an illustration of a plaque recording the destruction of a butcher’s shop at Berry Brow. Would it be possible to send us a copy of the birth certificate . I would like it to be right since my birthday is also 23 March !
His obituary in The Naturalist also gives the 1848 date.
I think his age reported at his death was incorrect and led to the error. A date of birth on a birth certificate in those days can be wrong but very improbable that the year is wrong. The Club came across the discrepancy so I sent for the certificate.
But all through his life he repeated the 16 March 1848 date – and the connection to the storm of April of that year. So it wasn’t an error arising when he died but a date he perpetuated himself on several ocassions in his life. He was often vague about biographical information as I say in the book. So I wonder why he was so explicit about this key date if it was incorrect ? Was he misled by his parents ? If so, why ? Where was the birth registered and what information is given about his parents ? You have given me plenty food for thought, Stephen.