The Cottingley Fairies refer to a famous photographic hoax from the early 20th century that captured the imagination of the public and even some notable figures, such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the author of Sherlock Holmes.

Background:

In 1917, two cousins, Elsie Wright (aged 16) and Frances Griffiths (aged 9), from Cottingley, near Bradford, England, claimed to have discovered fairies living by a stream near their home. The two girls took a series of five photographs that appeared to show them interacting with tiny, winged creatures, which they believed were fairies.

Elsie and Frances initially kept their secret, but in 1919, the photographs were shown to a family friend, Edward Gardner, who was the president of the Theosophical Society. Gardner was convinced that the photographs were genuine and sent them to The Strand Magazine in 1920. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who was a supporter of spiritualism and the occult, became involved with the case and promoted the photographs as evidence of the existence of fairies. The photographs gained worldwide attention.

The Photographs:

The five photographs featured the two girls posed with small, winged creatures, some of which appeared to be dancing, and others interacting with the girls.

• In the first photo, Frances is sitting by a stream with what looks like a fairy hovering beside her.
• In another, Elsie appears to be holding a fairy by its wings.

The girls initially claimed that the fairies had invited them to take part in their world. Over time, the photographs were scrutinized, and some experts and skeptics pointed out inconsistencies in the images. It wasn’t until 1983, after both girls had passed away, that Elsie admitted in an interview that the photographs were a hoax. She explained that the fairies were actually paper cutouts attached to pins, and that the girls had used a camera they had borrowed from Elsie’s father to take the pictures. Frances, however, maintained that she believed the fairies were real for many years.

Despite the hoax being revealed, the Cottingley Fairies remained a significant cultural phenomenon. They captured the public’s fascination with the supernatural and the idea of hidden worlds.

Cultural Impact:

• Belief in the supernatural: The Cottingley Fairies became one of the most famous stories in the history of paranormal phenomena.
• Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s involvement: The famous writer’s endorsement of the photos helped fuel their authenticity and added credibility to the belief in supernatural entities during the early 20th century.
• Inspiration for popular culture: The Cottingley Fairies have been referenced in numerous works of fiction, and the photos have been used as symbols of childlike wonder and the blurry boundary between reality and fantasy.
• Psychological and social factors: The case also highlighted the power of suggestion, the nature of childhood imagination, and the public’s willingness to believe in the supernatural when presented with compelling evidence.

Tasks Based on “The Cottingley Fairies”

1. Research and Writing Task:
   • Write a short essay (200-300 words) explaining the story of the Cottingley Fairies. What was the significance of the photos at the time, and how did they influence public perception of the supernatural? How did the hoax impact the credibility of photographic evidence in the 20th century?
     The Cottingley Fairies
2. Critical Thinking Discussion:
   • Do you think the Cottingley Fairies story would have gained as much attention today in the age of digital photography and social media? Why or why not? Consider the role of skepticism and fact-checking in modern times.
     
     Probably not. Today’s audiences are used to edited and AI-generated images, so they’re far more skeptical of anything extraordinary. Social media might make the photos go viral, but online fact-checkers and users would quickly analyze and debunk them. Unlike in 1917, photography no longer carries automatic credibility, making a hoax like the Cottingley Fairies much harder to believe.
     
3. Creative Assignment:
   • Imagine you are a photographer in 1917, and you are sent to investigate the Cottingley Fairies. Write a fictional diary entry about your experience taking photos of the fairies. What would your reaction be to what you see? Would you believe in the fairies, or would you be skeptical?
     
     I visited the Cottingley stream today with Elsie and Frances. They pointed excitedly at spots where they said fairies hovered, though I saw nothing but sunlight and leaves. Still, I took the photos they asked for. Their certainty made me pause—were they imagining it, or was I simply blind to whatever they believed in? As I develop the plates tonight, I remain doubtful, yet a tiny part of me wonders if the camera might catch something my eyes missed.