Person Barrett; Sir; William Fletcher (1844 - 1925); physicist and psychical researcher Barrett William Fletcher Sir physicist and psychical researcher 1844 - 1925 British Male Kingston, Jamaica, Caribbean Sea, West Indies 10 February 1844 18440210 His home, 31 Devonshire Place, London, England 26/05/1925 19250526 Burial: Long Cross, near Chertsey, Surrey, England (30 Mary 1925)

31 Devonshire Place, London W1

physicist and psychical researcher Physics Psychical research Education: Old Trafford Grammar School (1855); Royal College of Chemistry; Career: Returned to England with his family (1848); moved to Manchester (1855); Assistant to John Tyndall, Royal Institution (1863-1866); taught at International College and the Royal School of Naval Architecture; Professor of Experimental Physics in the Royal College of Science for Ireland (1873-1910); chief founder of Society for Psychical Research (1882), later became President; died suddenly of heart failure (1925). Memberships: FRSE; MRIA; MIEE; Fell Phys Soc Honours: Kt (1912) Parents: Revd William Garland Barrett (1812–1865), Congregational Minister and missionary for the London Missionary Society, and Martha Barrett, née Fletcher (1811?–1893). Siblings: Rosa Mary Barrett (1855–1936), social reformer and feminist. Spouse: Married (1916) Dr Florence Elizabeth Willey (1867–1945) CBE, MD, distinguished gynaecologist. Discovered Stalloy, a silicon-iron alloy employed in electrical engineering. Discovered the shortening of nickel through magnetisation. His father was member of the London Missionary Society and ran a station for saving African slaves. Pursued investigation of paranormal phenomena, including mediumship, poltergeists, and telepathy. Held a special interest in dowsing and published articles on the subject in the Proceedings of the Society of Psychical Research, of which he was a founding member. Fellow 01/06/1899 55 Joseph Wilson Swan John Hall Gladstone George Johnstone Stoney John Perry Oliver Joseph Lodge Edward Robert Festing Daniel John Cunningham John Joly George Francis Fitzgerald Edward Hull Arnold William Reinold Walter Noel Hartley William de Wiveleslie Abney Sources: Bulloch's Roll; Dr R Charles Mollan; DNB References: Sir Brian Pippard, FRS, 'Schoolmaster-Fellows and the campaign for science education' in NR 2002 vol 56 pp 63-81, plate International Standard Archival Authority Record for Corporate Bodies, Persons and Families - ISAAR(CPF) - Ottawa 1996 ISBN 0-9696035-3-3 National Council on Archives, Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997 https://royalsocietypublishing.org/action/doSearch?ContribAuthorRaw=Barrett%2C+William+Fletcher RCN 11376 RCN 13561 https://pictures.royalsociety.org/image-rs-11562 https://pictures.royalsociety.org/image-rs-11561 https://pictures.royalsociety.org/image-rs-11563 https://pictures.royalsociety.org/image-rs-11564 https://pictures.royalsociety.org/image-rs-11560 10 Feb 1844 - 26 May 1925 The past Fellows entries are under continuous revision. If you have queries or additional information to contribute, please contact Library@royalsociety.org. Content in external sources is not controlled by the Royal Society and historical sources may include content that is now unacceptable. Reviewed on 06/11/2024 as part of the Name Authority Project update. NA3523 21/11/2001 Andyg pmab 17/03/2026 RS_NET\VirginiaM Yes eadecf5d-d260-42c2-b26b-555043699ebb