Webster Edgerly wrote more than 50 books, some still in print, which have been read by hundreds of thousands of people - so why is he almost completely unknown?
This site examines the strange case of the Magnetism Man.
The next Ralston Day is in 3 days: Tuesday, 7 July 2009.
Who was Webster Edgerly?
Albert Webster Edgerly was a self-help guru, a crank and a racist bigot. Possessed of seemingly boundless energy, from his twenties until his death he wrote and published many books and founded a series of organisations dedicated to health and self-improvement, mainly under his pseudonym "Edmund (or Edmonde) Shaftesbury". As the begetter of the "Ralston Health Club" he also used the name "Dr Everett Ralston".
In about 1900, William Danforth invited "Dr Ralston" to participate in his Purina Wholefood Company. At that time Edgerly's Health Club had a sizeable following and he was noted for his pronouncements on diet, which were compatible with Danforth's own philosophy. The company took a new name, Ralston Purina, under which it still traded until relatively recently, when it was acquired by Nestlé.
Edgerly attempted in 1905 to put his utopian ideas into practice when he founded a community of Ralstonites at "Ralston Heights". As is ever the case with such endeavours, it was not a success.
His most successful venture was probably the "Magnetism Club", whose key text, Instantaneous Personal Magnetism continues to be read today.
New (12 December 2003): get the power of Future Seeing.
More at this site: a review of Edgerly's writings; Edgerly bibliography.
Comments
This is fantastic. I have a deep interest in Ralston, Edgerly and his IPM system as a historic reference of early self-development. I treasure two of his books. It would have been intriguing to meet the man himself. Perhaps a reforming of the Magnetism Club is in order for modern-day enthusiasts. - Simon Bignell
Simon, I don't think I'd like to have met Edgerly on the basis of what I know about him, though I would dearly loved to have seen him perform in his play about Columbus. I can't describe myself as an "enthusiast", either - more a fascinated yet horrified witness.
I live down the street from Ralston Castle and own some property on its grounds. It's a fascinating place and for what Edgerly's flaws may have been, he certainly designed a beautiful and unique home for himself and his followers. I just can't believe there is no record of what life was like for them in Ralston Heights, of what went on in that amazing and mysterious looking mansion!
I'd love to find out more about the man himself. Simon
Post new comment