It is not always known, but spiritism is a field born in France, and especially very structured. Under its real name "spiritist philosophy," the study of unexplained phenomena is the result of Allan Kardec's work, whose influence has been and still is worldwide. Recognized as the father of spiritism, he dedicated his life to combining science and life after death. Portrait.
Hippolyte Léon Denizard Rivail before Allan Kardec
Hippolyte Léon Denizard Rivail, before adopting the pseudonym Allan Kardec, was born on October 3, 1804, in Lyon, at 76 rue Sala. Coming from a family of jurists, he was the third of four siblings. His two older siblings, Auguste and Marie, died in infancy, and his younger sister, Isaure, was born in 1806.
At the age of ten, to protect him from the troubles at the end of the Napoleonic Empire, his family sent him to continue his studies in Switzerland. He joined Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi's institute, located at the Château d'Yverdon, on the shore of Lake Neuchâtel. In this school, which applied Rousseau's educational principles, notably those exposed in "Émile," Rivail absorbed innovative pedagogical methods. The teaching was based on mutual learning, where students learned from each other under the teacher's supervision.
During his stay in Yverdon, Rivail mingled with young people from European high society, which allowed him to master several modern languages, including English, German, and Dutch. This multilingual training and his immersion in a progressive educational environment influenced his future career as an educator and his worldview.
A committed teaching career
After completing his training in Switzerland with Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi, Hippolyte Léon Denizard Rivail returned to France in 1824. Armed with the experience gained, he settled in Paris and devoted himself to teaching, determined to apply Pestalozzi's innovative pedagogical methods.
In 1825, he founded a private school in the capital, where he put into practice his mentor's educational principles. The focus was on mutual learning, student autonomy, and a student-centered approach aimed at fully developing each individual's potential.
Alongside his teaching activity, Rivail invested himself in writing pedagogical works intended to improve the French educational system. In 1828, he published the Plan proposed for the improvement of public education, a work that earned him recognition from the Royal Academy of Arras. In this book, he proposed reforms aimed at making education more accessible and effective, inspired by proven methods in Switzerland.
His commitment to education did not stop there. Between 1835 and 1840, Rivail organized free courses at his home on rue de Sèvres, where he taught subjects such as chemistry, physics, comparative anatomy, and astronomy.
In 1832, he married Amélie Boudet, a teacher who shared his pedagogical convictions. Together, they collaborated on various educational projects, thus strengthening the impact of their work in the field of teaching.
Rivail's contributions to pedagogy, including his publications and educational initiatives, unfortunately did not lead to legislative changes or widespread adoption of his methods in France.
The discovery of table-turning
First of all, we must talk about a very popular phenomenon in 19th-century Paris: table-turning. Participants, seated around a light table, placed their hands on its surface and asked questions to spirits or ancestors. The table, mounted on a circular disc and engraved with possible answers, reacted by movements or rotations, interpreted according to a precise code.
Source: Wikipedia
In 1854, at the age of 51, Hippolyte Léon Denizard Rivail, then a distinguished educator and scientist, heard about this phenomenon for the first time. Intrigued by these manifestations, Rivail decided to attend sessions to observe these phenomena with his own eyes.
During these sessions, he observed, took notes, and compared rigorously. His conclusion: the tables did not just move but also seemed to communicate intelligible messages. Participants claimed these movements were caused by disembodied spirits seeking to contact the living. Naturally skeptical, Rivail undertook a methodical study of these manifestations, seeking to determine whether they were mere illusions, frauds, or still unexplained natural phenomena.
To deepen his understanding, he compiled a series of over a thousand questions about the nature of spirits, life after death, reincarnation, and morality. He submitted these questions to various mediums, whose answers, according to him, came from superior spirits. After analyzing and comparing these answers, Rivail was convinced of their coherence and depth. Even better: he managed to communicate with them.
In 1857, under the pseudonym Allan Kardec (which he adopted after discovering he was the incarnation of an ancient druid of the same name), he published The Spirits' Book, which presents the fundamental principles of spiritism as revealed to him during these communications. This work marks the birth and the beginning of the codification of spiritism and establishes Kardec as the founder of this new doctrine. More impressively, it is still regularly reissued today.
Subsequently, he continued his research and published several other works, including The Mediums' Book in 1861, which deepens the practical and experimental aspects of spiritism, and The Gospel According to Spiritism in 1864, which interprets Jesus' teachings in the light of spiritist doctrine. He also wrote Heaven and Hell (1865) and Genesis According to Spiritism (1868).
A worldwide influence...
In 1858, Allan Kardec founded the Parisian Society of Spiritist Studies, the first organization dedicated to the study and dissemination of spiritism. This society became a research and discussion center on spiritist phenomena, attracting intellectuals and curious people eager to understand these manifestations.
That same year, he launched the Spiritist Review, a monthly journal devoted to psychological studies and mediumistic communications. This publication served as a platform to share observations, teachings, and debates on spiritism, helping to structure and legitimize the spiritist doctrine while responding to skeptics' objections.
To promote and explain spiritism, Allan Kardec undertook trips in France, Switzerland, and Belgium. He gave lectures, met groups of followers, and participated in sessions. These travels allowed him to witness the growing interest in spiritism and encourage the formation of new local spiritist societies. Thousands of centers are still active today.
...especially in Brazil
Imported into the country as early as 1865, shortly after its codification in France, spiritism spread thanks to influential figures such as Bezerra de Menezes and Chico Xavier (respectively a doctor and a medium).
One major reason for its success lies in its adaptation to the Brazilian religious context, characterized by great spiritual diversity and openness to supernatural beliefs. Spiritism offered answers to existential questions and insight into life after death, attracting a large population seeking spiritual understanding.
The Brazilian spiritist movement is also distinguished by its social commitment. Spiritism followers manage institutions such as orphanages, schools, and aid centers for the needy, thus strengthening their role in the social fabric. This association between spirituality and charity has contributed to the positive and respected image of spiritism in the country.
Kardec's influence is also reinforced by the massive dissemination of his works. His books, as well as those derived from his teachings, are among the best-selling works in Brazil, exceeding 25 million copies. With more than 4,000 titles related to spiritism published, this movement holds an important place in the Brazilian literary landscape.
Finally (and especially), spiritism enjoys official recognition in Brazil, where it is one of the main religions (alongside Catholicism, Protestantism, candomblé, and umbanda). According to the 2010 census, about 3.8 million Brazilians identify as spiritists, who often stand out for having a higher level of education and income than the national average.
The most flowered grave in Père Lachaise
Allan Kardec suddenly passed away on March 31, 1869, at the age of 64, in Paris, victim of an aneurysm rupture. At that time, he had already completed the essential part of his spiritism codification work, although some texts remained unfinished.
He is buried in Père Lachaise Cemetery, where his grave, adorned with a sculpture representing a druidic dolmen, has become an emblematic place of remembrance for spiritists worldwide. Visitors regularly come to pay their respects and honor his work, notably Brazilians.
Source: Paris la Douce
However, this grave is not the original one: it was the target of a bomb attack on July 2, 1989. This act was claimed by a group calling itself the "movement for the supremacy of reason." The monument was rebuilt identically.
It should also be known that a legend surrounds his grave. Allan Kardec reportedly predicted before his death that his grave would grant wishes of all kinds to anyone who came with respect: « After my death, if you come to see me, place your hand on the neck of the statue overlooking my grave, then make a wish. If your wish is granted, come back with flowers. »
Thus, his grave has become the most flowered in the cemetery, regularly visited by his followers, but also by mediums, philosophers, or simply people feeling connected to spiritism.
In line with his vocation, the funerary monument is engraved with his motto: « Every effect has a cause. Every intelligent effect has an intelligent cause. The power of the intelligent cause is proportional to the greatness of the effect. »
Additionally, the doctrine that well summarizes his work is present: « To be born, to die, to be reborn again and to progress constantly, such is the Law. »
If you want to learn more, a documentary was dedicated to him in 2021: Allan Kardec, a life with the Spirits.
