Wilbert LeRoy Cosper
From Kook Science
| Wilbert LeRoy Cosper | |
|---|---|
 As pictured in Nature's Way, c. 1917 | |
| Born | 9 July 1873 Pennsylvania |
| Died | 10 April 1948 (74) [1] Los Angeles, California |
| Noted work(s) | "Nature's Way" (1917) |
| Spouse(s) | Wilma Alice Pearson (m. 1917; dv. 1939) |
Wilbert LeRoy Cosper (July 9, 1873 - April 10, 1948) was an American mind healer and preacher, the Bishop of his Christian Philosophical Institute and self-styled "Apostle of the Divine Chemist." Cosper was noted in press coverage for his use of such features as boxing matches and vaudeville dancers on the pulpit to draw crowds to his sermons.
Selected Bibliography
- Cosper, Wilbert LeRoy (1917), Nature's Way, San Francisco: C.P.I. Publishing Co., https://archive.org/details/naturesway00cosprich
- Cosper, Wilbert LeRoy (1919), Scientific Healing: a Correspondence Course, San Francisco: Christian Philosophical Institute, https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/100129461
Selected Filmography
- Cosper, Wilbert LeRoy, dir. The Kingdom of Human Hearts, 1921.
Press Coverage
Adultery Charge in Eureka, Ca. (1917)
- SFC (20 Jan. 1917), "Divine Healer in Eureka Jail on Serious Charge", San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, CA): 5, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119752639/divine-healer-in-eureka-jail-on-serious/
- MMH (20 Jan. 1917), "CONFESSES LEADING A DOUBLE LIFE: Divine Healer Jailed in Eureka on (Statutory) Charge. Admits Girl is Mother of Children. Wife in Los Angeles.", Modesto Morning Herald (Modesto, CA): 1, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119752949/confesses-leading-a-double-life-divine/
- LAT (25 Jan. 1917), "WOULD FREE COOPER IF HE WEDS WOMAN.", Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, CA): 3, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119754007/would-free-cooper-if-he-weds-woman/
- FE (9 Feb. 1917), "Wilbert Leroy Cosper and Wilma Pearson of Eureka were married this week, and the charge against Cosper for maintaining illegal relations with Miss Pearson was dismissed.", Ferndale Enterprise (Ferndale, CA): 5, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119754223/wilbert-leroy-cosper-and-wilma-pearson/
Prize Fighters and Dancing Girls on the Pulpit (1924)
- Owen, L. C. (21 Mar. 1924), "Pastor Employs Boxers and Dancer to Entertain People: They Are at Least Out of Devilment When Looking at a Clean Show in Church, He Tells Preachers Who Flay Him", San Antonio Light (San Antonio, TX): 14, https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85060004/1924-03-21/ed-1/seq-14
- BEN (22 Mar. 1924), "Pastor Stirs Hornet's Nest By Staging Boxing Match - Preacher Also Has Vaudeville Dancer Appear in Effort to Draw Bigger Congregations.", The Buffalo News (Buffalo, NY): 7, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119753512/pastor-stirs-hornets-nest-by-staging/
Former Secretary Sues (1924)
- OT (29 Apr. 1924), "CULT HEAD FACES SUITS FOR $19,000 - Former Secretary of Dr. Cosper Begins Action for 'Loans'", Oakland Tribune (Oakland, CA): 1, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119754537/cult-head-faces-suits-for-19000/
- SFE (9 Nov. 1924), "CHIEFTAIN OF 'KINGDOM OF HEART' SEEKS BANKRUPTCY: Former Secretary Says Leader of Oakland Shrine Owes Her Between $30,000, $40,000. Petition for Cancellation of Debts Is But Latest Step in Checkered Career of Zealot.", San Francisco Examiner (San Francisco, CA): 1, 3, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119758546/chieftain-of-kingdom-of-heart-seeks/
- MB (13 Nov. 1924), "SOUGHT BEAUTY BUT LOST $10,000", Modesto Bee (Modesto, CA): 1, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119758213/sought-beauty-but-lost-10000/
"Practicing Medicine Without a License" (1924-26)
- SFE (6 Sep. 1924), "'Bishop' Cosper Held As Bogus Physician", San Francisco Examiner (San Francisco, CA): 15, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119755037/bishop-cosper-held-as-bogus-physician/
- OT (9 Sep. 1924), "HEALER DENIES BOARD CHARGES", Oakland Tribune (Oakland, CA): 9, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119754927/healer-denies-board-charges/
- OT (16 Apr. 1925), "FOLLOWERS OF COSPER DENY LEVITY - Witnesses at Trial of 'Bishop' Accused of Practising Without License Tell of Silent Prayers Being Given", Oakland Tribune (Oakland, CA): 13, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119754794/followers-of-cosper-deny-levity/
- PD (18 Apr. 1925), "CULT LEADER CONVICTED: WOMEN WEEP FOR 'BISHOP' FACING JAIL - 'Doctor' With 35,000 Followers Guilty of Violating State Law.", The Press Democrat (Santa Rosa, CA): 1, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119753196/cult-leader-convicted-women-weep-for/
- OT (26 Jun. 1926), "COSPER'S PAROLE PETITION DENIED", Oakland Tribune (Oakland, CA): 20, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119755583/cospers-parole-petition-denied/, "A parole plea for Wilbert Leroy Cosper, Oakland cult leader, and self-styled 'apostle of the divine chemist,' was denied by the Contra Costa county parole board today, and Cosper must serve the remaining 45 days of a 90-day sentence imposed for violation of the state medical practice act. In addition to the jail sentence, Cosper was fined $500."
- SFE (9 Jul. 1926), "DIVINE HEALER TO CELEBRATE JAIL RELEASE: Boxing, Aesthetic Dancing and Choral Singing Planned at 'Bishop's' Coming Out Party", San Francisco Examiner (San Francisco, CA): 10, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119755222/divine-healer-to-celebrate-jail/
- OT (9 Jul. 1926), "COSPER PREDICTS RETURN TO JAIL IN THIRTY DAYS: 'Bishop' Will Go to Ranch After Release; Friends to Give Banquet.", Oakland Tribune (Oakland, CA): 21, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119755977/cosper-predicts-return-to-jail-in/
Advertising
"MIND HEALING" - advert. for Cosper's various books, 1919.
_-_1919-01.jpg)
References
- ↑ "California Death Index, 1940-1997," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VPFF-JDW : 26 November 2014), Wilbert Leroy Cosper, 10 Apr 1948; Department of Public Health Services, Sacramento.