Dennis Crawford

Dennis Crawford, a founder member of the Vampire Research Society and former member of the British Occult Society, belonged to that early team that investigated the Highgate Vampire case in the 1960s. He eventually became the International Secretary of the Vampire Research Society. In the beginning, when the VRS was not yet an independent organisation and was known only as a "vampire research unit" within the British Occult Society, Dennis Crawford was acquainted with M J Welch and Steve Howe (of Yes fame) who both participated in visits to haunted places in London. Dennis Crawford studied the works of Montague Summers, as did, of course, †Seán Manchester, founder and president of the Vampire Research Society, and also president of the British Occult Society from 21 June 1967 until 8 August 1988 when he formally dissolved the society owing to it having outlived its usefulness and being mistaken for something that it was not. Its explicit purpose was to study and research hidden (occult) phenomena, not engage in occult practices, which it openly criticised.

Rare photograph of Dennis Crawford (left) taken in the dead of night at Highgate Cemetery.