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 25 days: Tuesday, 5 October 2010.
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
I bought a whole set of these books 30 odd years ago at a thrift shop..studied them over and over till it made sence or worked...I have never come across a book that I belive everything,also being these books are dated early 1900's up to the late 20;s so there are many things outdated.I have learned so much that I khow it is time to pass some of it on.. if interested in this,
Where can one obtain the set of books you talk about??
Lawrence, many of Edgerly's books can be readily found in online second hand bookshops (try addall.com) or ebay. I don't know which ones Terry is referring to, but I would guess it is the Magnetism series (Instantaneous Personal Magnetism, Advanced Magnetism, Mental Magnetism, Sex Magnetism and Universal Magnetism) as these were heavily promoted through magazine mail order ads throughout the 20th century.
I have a couple of Edgerly Webster Books and would love to study him more
if you are interested in selling the books
Yours Norman
I'd be fascinated to hear from people that are keen on looking into these techniques from a modern day perspective and those interested in the personal growth climate of the period. The books are a product of the day in which they were written of course but there's also a quality to them that is unique. There’s also an obvious feel of merchandising about IPM as well. However, sceptical enquiry has led me to these and although usually repelled by bunkum and quackery something still remains about this system of personal growth that others fail to capture. I’m interested in the man and his followers. Perhaps it was his writing, or just that this system existed in the era it did. For me the exquisiteness remains regardless of the showmanship and unsupported claims. Simon Bignell
Hi Simon
I say let's go for it I would love to put something together with you I personally have been studying this guy for over 30 years and I still find his work fascinating so please get in touch Norman Dixson
Websters work and his ideals didn't suit the Corporate face of Ralston Purina. As the father of PR, Edward Bernays vision of corporate America image took hold. Websters work because of the content and his manor was suppressed. Like many in history.. America's vision is a carefully constructed socially engineered image. The oligarchy doesn't like it when one of their own doesn't shine in a favorable light.. thus they tend to disappear in the pages of history written to create manufactured consent. Websters ultimate utopia health and well being was not the direction the oligarchy had in mind for the country, if they were.. I couldn't imagine the face of America today. but I'm sure it wouldn't be the one we now see.
Any relation, David?
I am no fan of corporate attitudes, but frankly, Webster Edgerly's idealism was tarnished from the start. His use of pseudonyms, his claim to a non-existent professorship, his dubious treatment of his acting school pupils, his racist tendencies, his misrepresentations of the origins of Ralstonism, his inconsistencies, exaggerations and baseless claims ... need I say more?
Anyone who could make a claim such as that in the preface of the nauseating Brain Tests that "it surpasses in importance the whole fabric of knowledge taught by the greatest universities" is either a megalomaniac or a conman. I think he was a bit of both.
It would be terrific if Purina would open their archives and tell the full story of the relationship with Webster Edgerly, but I can well understand why they would not want to do that.
I am the great-grandson of Webster Edgerly. I have a few books he inscribed to my grandmother and his wife, Edna. If I can help in any way with information about him I would like to.
Please respond if you wish.
Yours,
David D. Bates II
Hello David, I have been very interested in your great-grandfather's books since I was in high school back in the 1960s. However, at first I didn't really understand what he meant by "glame" and tension energy. As it happened, our football coach had developed a high degree of glame (I'm sure it was by chance, as I don't think he knew of Webster Edgerly's books.) At times I could hear the magnetic power in his voice as he encouraged his football players to do their best, and it was then that I realized what glame and magnetism really meant. I would of course have developed glame myself, but I have been afflicted with diabetic and thyroid trouble since childhood, and my general health is not good. Do you have any thoughts on nerve tensing and glame? Thanks, George
There is a modern twist to the magnetism series. A man out of Florida, Gil Magno, has read and edited Edgerly's work for modern audiences. Mr. Magno is a member of ( a founding member, I believe) of I AM - the International Association of Magnetists - Mr. Edgerly is alive and well thanks to Mr. Magno.
I urge you to visit Gil Magno's page and have him send you the free first lesson via .PDF. I am not trying to "sell" anything, only suggesting that those who commented here that reforming the Magnetist Club may be in order for Modern Day - may enjoy this. I am paying for the series. It is extremely cheap, of course delivered over email, and is almost free it's that cheap. But again, I am not trying to sell anyone or any mindsets. Only bringing up that Mr. Edgerly's works have been re-edited/re-worked to drop the racism, drop the archaic quality, and re introduce it with taste.
I have come across a copy (Charter Edition) of "The Book of Mind and Thought Society" and can not find any other copies available anywhere. How would I determine the value of this? It is a cloth book dated 1911.
Thank you
I have a couple of examples of his autograph which I will donate to someone who will give the book a good home. My grandmother died at 107 years of age. You can find her @ Philadelphia Ten if you search. She is there as Gladys Bates.
I am just beginning my own research into Webster Edgerly. My grandmother, Gladys C. E. Bates died at the age of 107 in 2003. I was left many volumes of the family library including MANY that were given to her either by Webster or my great-grandmother, Edna. If I felt that someone would show proper respect (although much of my great-grandfather's beliefs, especially regarding his fellow man are reprehensible) to the family I would be happy to donate an example of his signature in one of the books in the library. Both of my grandparents Earl Kenneth Bates and my grandmother were noted New England artists with representation in many large permanent collections.
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