Spiritualism's Influence on 19th Century American Culture and Literature

During the mid-19th century, spiritualist and occult practices gained popularity in the United States, with mediums facilitating communication with the afterlife. The Fox sisters emerged as prominent figures in this movement starting in 1849. This cultural phenomenon was partly fueled by significant loss of life during the Civil War from 1861 to 1865. President Abraham Lincoln's family participated in spiritualist activities following the death of their son Willie in 1862. Contemporary literature has explored this period, including George Saunders' 2017 novel 'Lincoln in the Bardo' which addresses the president's grief.