"Peter Underwood, FRSA, is an experienced investigator, parapsychologist, lecturer,
broadcaster, and author of over 40 books including This Haunted Isle, Nights in Haunted
Houses, Dictionary of the Supernatural, Ghosts - and How to See Them, and Death in
Hollywood. He is the Life President of the Ghost Club
Society and a prominent member of
the Society for Psychical Research. He has been variously described as 'Britain's leading authority
on the paranormal,' (Daily Mail), 'a good writer who knows his subject,' (Colin Wilson), and
'Britain's number one ghosthunter.' (Heritage Scotland)"
Bio from Peter Underwood's Guide to Ghosts and Haunted Places.
"He conducted the first ever official investigation into a haunting and is an
acknowledged
expert on psychic phenomena. Widely consulted by media sources seeking accurate
information."
Bio from Ghosts and How to See Them.
"The undisputed king of ghost hunters." - Lincolnshire Echo
"An ace sleuth. . . . veteran of the icy room and expert on things that go bump in the
night." - Liverpool Dail Post
"Britain's ghost hunter supreme. . . . has garnered evidence of a phantom world that is
difficult to question." - Gloucester Echo
"A shrewd and cynical ghost hunter ready to accept supernatural explanation only as a
last resort." - Bournemouth Evening Echo
"Eloquent testimony to honesty and single-mindedness. . . .fascinating experiences. -
Hertfordshire Countryside
"Clearly not suitable reading for the nervous." - Western News
"Probably knows more about ghosts than any man alive." - Sunday Times
"The foremost writer on the subject." - BBC Television The Psychic Business
Peter Underwood is the author, with the late Paul Tabori, of the definitive book on the case, The Ghosts of Borley (David and Charles, 1973), the first complete record of all the strange happenings with many hitherto unpublished photographs. He also included this fascinating case in the following works:
His books have been published in Britain, USA, Spain, Italy, Argentina, Holland, Mexico, Hungary, Australia, Japan, and the Far East.
His extensive and remarkable collection of photographs pertaining to the Borley Rectory hauntings is now handled by the Mary Evans Picture Library.
Peter Underwood and BBC producer Hugh Burnett at Borley for a 1975 broadcast. Among other Borley memorabilia, Underwood has the original envelope with "ghost writing" on the outside, one of the bottles that "materialized," a boundary stone engraved "H.B.," an original notebook from one of Price's observers, and scores of letters from the participants. |
Peter Underwood with Constance Price (widow of Harry) at Arun Bank, Pulborough, 1968. The Borley Great Bell, hanging outside Price's workshop now hangs at Underwood's country cottage - a presentation from the executors of the Harry Price estate and the University of London. |
For more than 30 years, Peter Underwood was president and chief investigator of the
leading investigating society, and he is now life president of the prodigious Ghost Club Society
(founded in Cambridge, 1851). He is vice president of the Unitarian Society for Psychical Studies
and a prominent member of the Incorporated Society for Psychical Research (since 1947), the
Society of Authors, the Dracula Society, the Folklore Society, the International Ghost Society,
and others. In 1987 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, and his numerous television appearances include a featured part in "The Ghost Hunters" (repeated annually by BBC for four years); National Spanish TV (a two-hour live debate from Madrid); German television (with Dr. Paul Tabori); "Count Dracula in Europe" including an 'authentic' Dracula meal at Purfleet organized by the Dracula Society; "Strange but True" with Michael Aspell talking about the Borley haunting; "The Big Breakfast" (discussing, with illustrations, the Borley haunting); "A Ghost Weekend" (live from York); "A Visit to a Haunted inn" (live from The Grenadier, London); Late Night Line-up; Nationwide; Tonight, "Look East" (from Norwich); Southern (from Southampton); Pebble Mill (three times); and many more. |
A caricature of Peter Underwood in his heyday exploring the mysteries of Borley. By "RAY," son of famous cartoonist, "MATT." His radio appearances include a personal hour-long profile "Ghost Hunter" (included in Pick of the Week); Start the Week (with Melvyn Bragg); Midweek (with Libby Purvis); Women's Hour; Jimmy Young (twice); Bob Symes on Radio 4; BBC Scotland; Radio London; Radio Solent; LBC (with Pete Murray); Capital Radio; BBC Cardiff; BBC Overseas (a feature on "Ghosts" discussing Borley Rectory with Professor John Taylor); and many others. |
Peter Underwood has lectured at the Ghost Club Society, the Society for Psychical Research, the College of Psychic Studies, Oxford University Psychical Research Society, Sheffield University, Cambridge University Research Society, Birmingham University Lecture Society, the Lansdowne Club, Pen and Wig Club, Constitutional Club, University of East Anglia, Manchester College of Oxford, University of Evansville in Indiana, the Galley Club, Savage Club, Oriental Club, Sesame Club, the Royal Photographic Society, University Ladies Club, Unitarian Society for Psychical Studies, National Film Theater, and many other places up and down the UK and abroad.