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William Reed

From Kook Science

William Reed
William Reed - frontis.jpg

As pictured in The Phantom of the Poles (1906)

Born c. 1840
Ohio
Died c. 1910 (aged 69–70)
New York
Occupation(s) Fire insurance agent (adjuster)
Affiliations Reed Hollow Earth Exploring Club
Known for Hollow Earth theories
Noted work(s) "Phantom of the Poles" (1906)
Spouse(s) Etta [Napier] (m. 1867)
Children Lena [Reed] Smith (1868-1942)

William Reed (1840 - 1910) was an American insurance agent and author of a book that denied polar expeditions had reached the poles (as, Reed argued, there are no such poles), that the Earth is Hollow, and the aurorae are produced by light escaping the inner earth. In an effort to prove out his claims, Reed formed the William Reed Hollow Earth Exploring Club,[1] including supporters the likes of Bradley S. Osbon among the ranks,[2][3] and boasted of plans to spend up to one-and-a-half million dollars to prove his theories.[4]

Selected Bibliography

Reading

References

  1. Dickenson, Herbert (2 May 1908), Harvey, George, ed., "The Hollowness of the Earth", Harper's Weekly (New York City: Harper & Brothers) 52 (2680): 30, https://books.google.com/books?id=kLFCAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA222 
  2. "Register of Public Institutions in the Boroughs of Manhattan and the Bronx", Trow's General Directory, City of New York, 123, 1909, p. 49, https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015009230445;view=1up;seq=1723, "Reed Hollow Earth Exploring. 132 E. 23rd — Franklin M. Ashley, Pres.; Bradley S. Osbon, Sec.; Francis S. Millard, Treas." 
  3. "GOING TO LOOK FOR A BIG HOLE AT THE TOP OF THE WORLD", Marion Daily Mirror 16 (229): 9, 23 April 1908, http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn88077573/1908-04-25/ed-1/seq-9/, retrieved 2016-12-08, "The officers of the William Reed Hollow Earth Club for New York are Frank M. Ashley, president; Dr. Roswell O. Stebbins, first vice president; Frank R. Millard, second vice president; Albert Operti, treasurer; Capt. Bradley S. Osbon, secretary; William Reed, Walter S. Rockey and Titus K. Smith, Executive Committee. Several of these men are old hands at Arctic exploration." 
  4. "HERE'S WHAT THEY EXPECT TO FIND AT THE NORTH POLE; HOW THEY EXPECT TO GET INTO THE HOLLOW EARTH", Spokane Press (Spokane, Washington) 6 (134): 4, 13 April 1908, http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn88085947/1908-04-13/ed-1/seq-4/, retrieved 2016-12-08, "Wm. Reed, the former insurance man who heads the club, says it is prepared to spend $1,500,000. 'It's time for action now — not a time for mere talking,' said Reed when seen at his home. 'But the earth is hollow and our investigations will soon prove it. The poles so long sought are but phantoms.'"