Albert E. Tisdale was born about 1851 to Reuben and Jane Tisdale in Essex County, Massachusetts and was one of their five children. By 1863, his mother was a widow in Norwich, Connecticut. Albert entered the Navy when he was only ten years of age by serving as an orderly to Commodore Ringgold on the frigate Sabine. Commodore Ringgold sent Tisdale home before the close of the Civil War to prepare for entrance to the naval academy. It was about this time that Albert began to have problems with his eyesight. In a short time, Tisdale became blind.
In1880, Albert was still living at home with his mother, Jane, and his sister, Emma Bard, in Norwich, Connecticut. His interest in Spiritualism took hold about this time. In New London, The Day, 2 December 1884 published: “Albert E, Tisdale, who had the misfortune to lose his eyesight some 15 years ago, has blossomed out as an inspirational speaker. It is claimed that this spirit of a departed one named Denton controls the medium.”
He became a well-known speaker, attending several Spiritualist camps in New England, including Lake Pleasant. He also lectured throughout Massachusetts, including in Boston and Springfield. In1890 at Temple Heights he sang songs before his lecture and gave readings afterward. He became known as the “Blind Medium of Merrick, Massachusetts.” His lectures included topics such as: “The Human Family Knows No Greater Evil than War,” “The Religion-Builders,” “The Coming Struggle,” “What is the Need of Jealousy among Mediums?” and “The Philosophy of Modern Spiritualism.”
Albert also maintained his interest in the Navy. In the Boston Globe, 16 December 1894 he was listed as speaking before the Farragut Naval Veterans. “The next meeting of the association will take place Wednesday evening, when an interesting lecture will be given by shipmate Albert E, Tisdale, the blind orator, the subject being, “The Cruise of U S Ship Sabine in Search of the Alabama, in the Fall and Winter of 1862-63.”
Albert continued with his speaking engagements for the next two decades. The Banner of Light, 31 July 1897 wrote, “Mr. A. E. Tisdale was the next speaker, and was greeted with great applause. He spoke at length in regard to liberty, of religious shams and of the beauties of religion embodied in Modern Spiritualism; his remarks were received with hearty applause.” He was a featured speaker at Golden Jubilee of Modern Spiritualism in Washington D. C, the same year.
At the1898, Spiritualist camp meeting at Vicksburg he gave an inspirational address. “There never was a grander discourse delivered at this camp than the one furnished by his guides on this occasion.” The Lansing Journal, 14 Feb 1901 printed, “Mr. Tisdale has been totally blind since childhood and is one of the most brilliant, profound and logical speakers on the spiritual platform. His addresses while entranced in connection with his singing and playing, make a most entertaining evening.”
Albert died in Boston in 1906. The Day, 25 August 1906 of New London, wrote, “Albert E. Tisdale, a famous blind lecturer, once a resident of this city, was overcome by the heat in Boston Thursday and died in a few minutes. He had just arrived by steamer from Maine where he had been spending a vacation. Mr. Tisdale was known throughout New England as a lecturer and as the youngest naval veteran of the Civil War.”