From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Joe Nickell (born December 1, 1944) is a
prominent skeptical
investigator of the paranormal. He also works as an historical
document consultant[1] and has
helped expose such famous forgeries as the purported diary of Jack the Ripper. In 2002 he was one of
a number of experts asked by scholar Henry Louis Gates, Jr. to evaluate for
authenticity the manuscript of Hannah Crafts' The Bondwoman's
Narrative (1853-1860), likely the first novel by an African-American woman.[2]
Nickell is a senior Research Fellow for the Center for
Inquiry (CFI) and is a member of its Executive Council. He
writes regularly for their journal, the Skeptical
Inquirer. He is also an associate dean of the
Center for Inquiry Institute. He has worked professionally as a
private investigator, journalist, and university instructor, and is
the author or editor of several books.[3]
Early
life and education
Nickell holds B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Kentucky. His
Ph.D. is in English for graduate work focusing on literary
investigation and folklore.
Career
In “An Interview With Joe Nickell", Eric Krieg of the
Philadelphia Association for Critical Thinking, describes Nickell
(using Nickell's own words) as an “investigator” and formerly an
“undercover detective, teacher, draft dodger, river boat manager,
carnival promoter, magician and spokesperson.”
Nickell has evaluated manuscripts and written works for
authenticity, including the purported diaries of Jack the Ripper
and Adolf Hitler (both of which he helped to reveal as forgeries),
and Hannah Crafts' mid-nineteenth century novel The Bondwoman's
Narrative, whose authenticity he supported.
The protagonist of the 2007 horror film The Reaping is
loosely based on Joe Nickell. He was brought onto the set to
consult with actress Hilary Swank.[4][5]
Public and media
appearances
Nickell is frequently consulted by news and television producers
for his skeptical opinion.[6][7][8] He was
profiled by The New Yorker.[9][10]
Nickell is a recurring guest on Point of
Inquiry, and conducts the annual Houdini Seance at the
Center for Inquiry Institute every Halloween.[11]
Nickell has appeared on the following national TV shows[12]:
Awards
Nickell was a co-recipient of the 2005 Robert P. Balles Prize in
Critical
Thinking, awarded by CSICOP.
Works
- Adventures in Paranormal Investigation, University Press of
Kentucky: Lexington, KY; 2007.
- Relics of the Christ. Lexington: University Press of
Kentucky. 2007. ISBN
0813124255.
- Lake Monster Mysteries: Investigating the World's Most
Elusive Creatures, University Press of Kentucky: Lexington,
KY; 2006; with co-author Benjamin Radford.
- Cronache del Misterio (Newton Compton editori: Rome,
Italy; 2006).
- Secrets of the Sideshows (University Press of
Kentucky: Lexington, KY; 2005).
- The Mystery Chronicles: More Real-Life X-Files
(University Press of Kentucky: Lexington, KY; 2004).
- The Kentucky Mint Julep (University Press of Kentucky:
Lexington, KY; 2003).
- Real-Life X-Files: Investigating the Paranormal
(University Press of Kentucky: Lexington, KY; 2001).
- Investigating the Paranormal (Barnes &
Noble Books: New York; 2004).
- Crime Science: Methods of Forensic Detection
(University Press of Kentucky: Lexington, KY; 1999; with co-author
John F. Fischer).
- The UFO Invasion: The Roswell Incident, Alien Abductions,
and Government Coverups (Prometheus Books: Amherst, NY; 1997;
co-edited with Kendrick Frazier and Barry Karr).
- The Outer Edge: Classic Investigations of the
Paranormal (CSICOP: Amherst, NY; 1996, co-edited with
Barry Karr and Tom Genoni).
- Detecting Forgery: Forensic Investigation of Documents
(University Press of Kentucky: Lexington, KY; 1996, 2005).
- Entities: Angels, Spirits, Demons, and Other Alien
Beings (Prometheus Books: Amherst, NY;
1995).
- Camera Clues: A Handbook for Photographic
Investigation (University Press of Kentucky: Lexington, KY;
1994, 2005).
- Psychic Sleuths: ESP and Sensational Cases (Prometheus
Books: Amherst, NY; 1994).
- Looking for a Miracle: Weeping Icons, Relics, Stigmata,
Visions and Healing Cures (Prometheus Books: Amherst, NY;
1993, 1998).
- Mysterious Realms: Probing Paranormal, Historical, and
Forensic Enigmas (Prometheus Books: Amherst, NY; 1992; with
John F. Fischer).
- Missing Pieces: How to Investigate Ghosts, UFOs, Psychics,
and Other Mysteries (Prometheus Books: Amherst, NY; 1992; with
Robert A.
Baker).
- Unsolved History: Investigating Mysteries of the Past
(University Press of Kentucky: Lexington, KY; 1992, 2005).
- Wonder-Workers! How They Perform the Impossible
(Prometheus Books: Amherst, NY; 1991).
- Pen, Ink, and Evidence: A Study of Writing and Writing
Materials for the Penman, Collector, and Document Detective
(Oak Knoll Books: New Castle, DE; 1990, 2000, 2003).
- The Magic Detectives: Join Them in Solving Strange
Mysteries (Prometheus Books: Amherst, NY; 1989).
- Secrets of the Supernatural: Investigating the World's
Occult Mysteries (Prometheus Books: Amherst, NY; 1988, 1991;
with John F. Fischer).
- Inquest on the Shroud of Turin: Latest Scientific
Findings (Prometheus Books: Amherst, NY; 1983, 1998).
Notes
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