In Piccadilly A Fragment of Contemporary Biography, Laurence Oliphant—a multifaceted author, globe-trotter, diplomat, and mystic—invites us into the intriguing social tapestry of 1865 London. Writing under the witty pseudonym Lord Frank Vanecourt, he shares a delightful mélange of stories from his encounters with both the illustrious and the obscure within the exclusive enclave of Piccadilly W1. Guided by the spiritualist prophet Thomas Lake Harris, Oliphant’s reflections offer a captivating glimpse into a world that is both familiar and extraordinary. (Introduction by Nigel Carrington)