Raynor Johnson - the author of many scientific papers and books - wrote this, his first philosophical work 'in an attempt to order my own thinking'. Such thinking was always original, searching and bold; The Imprisoned Splendour, bridging as it does the data of natural science, psychical research and mystical experience, is now rightly regarded as a classic in its field. Its particular value lies in its erudite but never ponderous presentation and discussion of a wide range of the paranormal, Telepathy, trance phenomena, automatic or directed writing, clairvoyance, clairaudience, telekinesis, poltergeists and phantoms of the living and the dead are evidenced with such cumulative effect that they are not easily dismissed. In surveying the data of psychical research and of mysticism Dr Johnson takes a new approach to spiritual reality that is deeply impressive and totally divorced from dogmatic theology.
About the author
Raynor Johnson, born in Leeds 1901, graduated from Balliol College, Oxford with a First in Arts. He then took a First in Science at London before becoming a Doctor of Science specialising in spectroscopy. For eleven years until 1934 he lectured first at Queen's University, Belfast and then Kings College, London before becoming Master of Queen's College, University of Melbourne. There he remained for thirty years until his retirement in 1964. When Raynor Johnson died in 1987 at the age of 86 much was written about this remarkable physicist, mystic, and former Master of Queen's College Melbourne University. Perhaps the most telling obituary comment was the portrayal by an ex-student of a gentle, humorous and modest man of the utmost integrity and sincerity whose thinking, although most profound, was always subjected to a rigorous appraisal. He had a gift for making his students feel on equal terms and was possessed of 'a humility and openness that left a lasting impression on those fortunate enough to have known him'.
