They Believed in Demons

You've probably learned about these famous figures in school or seen them on the big screen, but there's often a hidden side to their stories that involves crystal balls and secret societies. While many geniuses are known for their logic and pragmatism, a surprising number of them spent their spare time trying to communicate with spirits or decode ancient prophecies. It turns out that being a world-changer often goes hand-in-hand with an intense curiosity about the things we can't see or explain.

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1. Isaac Newton

Newton wasn’t just studying physics, he spent years trying to crack biblical codes and turn lead into gold. He even thought that there were magical secrets hidden throughout nature, waiting to be unlocked. You'd think a math genius would stick to the numbers, but he believed the universe held magical secrets that only a few could unlock.

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2. Mary Todd Lincoln

As President Lincoln’s wife, she dealt with Civil War depression and the loss of her children, and she began hosting séances in the White House Red Room. She consulted famous mediums of her time and even tried to take photographs of spirits that she believed were visiting her.

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3. Arthur Conan Doyle

The creator of Sherlock Holmes was surprisingly easy to fool when it came to the supernatural, which is ironic considering how logical his famous detective was. He famously defended the existence of fairies and spent a fortune trying to prove that spirits could communicate with the living. Even when people showed him proof of a hoax, he stayed loyal to his mystical beliefs until the very end.

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4. William Butler Yeats

The famous poet was a member of an elite magical order known as the Golden Dawn. He took part in elaborate rituals, swore off eating meat because of them, and firmly believed that many of his poems were written through supernatural tutors. You can see how his deep dives into mysticism influenced almost every line of his famous literary work.

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5. Princess Diana

It's no secret that the "People's Princess" frequently consulted psychics and astrologers to help her navigate the pressures of royal life. She looked for guidance in the stars and often visited healers to find peace during her most difficult years. Her interest in the esoteric was just another way she tried to find a sense of control in a very public world.

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6. Thomas Edison

He thought he could invent some sort of “spirit phone” that could record messages from the afterlife. Edison believed that ghosts weren’t magical at all, but simply “life units” that could be found with the right machinery. Spoiler alert: we haven’t found that prototype yet.

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7. Hattie McDaniel

The first African American to win an Oscar was very involved in the world of spiritualism and frequently sought out mediums. She found comfort in the idea that there was more to existence than what we see on the surface, especially during her Hollywood career.

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8. Charles Dickens

While he’s famous for writing ghost stories, Dickens was also an active member of the Ghost Club and loved investigating supernatural claims. He practiced mesmerism, which was a precursor to hypnosis, and believed he could cure people's ailments by manipulating their "magnetic" energy. You can definitely tell he had a personal fascination with the uncanny.

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9. Grigori Rasputin

Known as the "Mad Monk," this Russian figure gained immense power over the royal family because of his alleged mystical healing abilities. He also appeared to be impervious to poison and knife wounds, leading many to believe he had supernatural gifts. Whether he was a true mystic or just a clever performer, his life remains one of history's greatest occult mysteries.

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10. David Bowie

The legendary singer and actor based much of his career on Aleister Crowley’s teachings. For a period in the mid-seventies, Bowie even researched occult symbols day and night to protect his home and energy from psychic attacks. It's clear that his ever-changing personas were often fueled by his deep dives into the esoteric and the unknown.

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11. Benjamin Franklin

You probably know him as a Founding Father, but he was also rumored to be a member of the notorious Hellfire Club in England. This group was famous for its secretive rituals and high-society paganism, which adds a bit of a dark twist to his image. Exploring his social circles reveals a man who was just as interested in hidden traditions as he was in electricity.

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12. Dionne Warwick

It’s hard to believe she became the spokeswoman of the Psychic Friends Network. Warwick has been open about her beliefs in astrology and using her knowledge of tarot to help her make decisions. For her, the world of the occult was never something to fear, but a tool to be used for success.

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13. Walt Disney

Rumors have swirled for decades about Disney's interest in cryogenics and secret society symbolism hidden within his theme parks. While some stories are just urban legends, he was definitely fascinated by the idea of creating a perfect, controlled world that felt almost magical. His obsession with the future often overlapped with a very specific, mystical view of human potential.

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14. Stevie Nicks

Often referred to as the "White Witch" of rock, she has spent decades leaning into a mystical aesthetic that isn't just for show. She has publicly spoken about her belief in crystals, spirituality, and channeling while writing her music. Her ethereal style and lyrics have made her a permanent icon for anyone who loves a bit of moonlight and mystery.

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15. Winston Churchill

The Prime Minister was once initiated into a druid order. He often visited Stonehenge and consulted people who claimed to have psychic powers when Britain was in its darkest hour. It's interesting to consider how his belief in destiny helped him stay strong during such a dark historical period.

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16. Marie Curie

While attending meetings at the Société de Psychologie Physique, she and her husband spent time observing physical mediums. They hoped to find patterns between psychical energy and radiation. It’s a great example of how even the most brilliant minds can be open to exploring the supernatural.

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17. Harry Houdini

We all know Houdini busted fake psychics, but he was searching for one himself years before he started debunking them. Years before his career as a famous skeptic took off, Houdini searched desperately for a way to contact his mother after she passed. His career was essentially a lifelong battle between his skeptical mind and his hopeful heart.

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18. Jane Stanford

The co-founder of Stanford University was so devastated by the loss of her son that she turned to spiritualism for answers. She spent the next twenty years pursuing spiritualism. Stanford funnelled millions of dollars into a movement trying to reach her son, and even built occult statues inside Stanford University’s chapel.

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19. Elvis Presley

Elvis had an entire library dedicated to books on the occult. He also kept a spiritual advisor on tour with him for years. He was especially interested in telepathy and spent years meditating to increase his brain waves.

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20. Nikola Tesla

Tesla claimed to receive many of his visions from “entities” and said he could even communicate with Martians. He walked around buildings three times before entering and believed he had a personal relationship with the number three. His mind operated on a level that felt more like magic than engineering to the people of his time.

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