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or Sex with Spirits?

Please join us for the Fall 2026 Couper Lecture by Joscelyn Godwin, Professor Emeritus, Colgate University 

A long tradition holds that humans can communicate with the subtle beings who inhabit the Elements. Some even claimed that marriage and procreation  are possible between us and the Sylphs, Elves, Fauns, Fairies, etc. The theme appealed to poets and novelists, and took on new life with the Spiritualist movement of the mid-19th century. The idea then arose that since the dead could talk, and even apparently materialize, this might lead to more intimate connections. But some said that the so-called spirits were only elementals impersonating the departed. Emotions ran high in this neglected corner of the History of Ideas join us as we explore its evolution. 

The Couper Lecture was established in 2005 to honor Hamilton alumnus Richard “Dick” Couper ’44. Couper died in January 2006. Each fall a distinguished speaker is invited to present topics related to the college's special library collections or to present an issue related to libraries in general.