Shackley, John
Human (non magical), 1837-1913
English biologist and magiontologist. Student and confidant of Göran Elias Pederssen (1805-1890). First secetary of the Magiontology Circle, and its second President.
Shackley first encounter with the idea of magical lifeforms was through Pederssen's 1853 essay Considerations in the study of magic: in recognition of magical life forms, which he read a few years later at age 19, while a student of biology in Essex. Shackley was always fascinated by the idea of magic, but, having no proof of its existence, remained skeptical. In 1859 he met Pederssen at a natural science lecture in London. Shackley was quickly convinced of the genuineness of Pederssen's research and on that same night offered to translate the essay into English. During their correspondence over the translation the two became close friends, and after Shackley finished his degree, he continued his research as Pederssen's student.
Shackley embraced Pederssen's hope to further magiontology research and for human-magion cooperation. He believed that the contemporary interest in magic among socialites made both possible, and advocated for the creation of a club dedicated to magiontology. His plans were finally accepted and took the form of the Magiontology Circle, established 1889. Pederssen was named the first president of the Circle, and Shackley himself served as its first secretary. After Pederssen's passing in 1890, Shackley was elected its second president. Later the same year, Idris (years unknown) and Karl Elias Pederssen (1863-1931) approached Shackley with concerns that members of the Circle were attempting parasitical magic. Shackley first dismissed the accusations, claiming that all members were hand-picked and have sighed a proclamation of preservation of magical life. However, soon magion and magic-folk members of the Circle began to leave the circle, claiming they feel unsafe. When Karl submitted his resignation, stating that he can no longer remain in the Circle when it goes against everything his grandfather believed in, Shackley conceded and soon after the Circle was disbanded.
Shackley's relationship with the magical community suffered greatly. Whether he was culpable or not, many blamed him for exposing it to danger and for not responding quickly enough. He accepted responsibility and, for the most part, distanced himself from the magical community, only keeping a few contacts, including Karl. He continued his biology research and specialized in entomology. In his later years he collaborated with Karl in a comparative study of magical and non-magical arachnids. He left his library and research collection to Karl.
Shackley first encounter with the idea of magical lifeforms was through Pederssen's 1853 essay Considerations in the study of magic: in recognition of magical life forms, which he read a few years later at age 19, while a student of biology in Essex. Shackley was always fascinated by the idea of magic, but, having no proof of its existence, remained skeptical. In 1859 he met Pederssen at a natural science lecture in London. Shackley was quickly convinced of the genuineness of Pederssen's research and on that same night offered to translate the essay into English. During their correspondence over the translation the two became close friends, and after Shackley finished his degree, he continued his research as Pederssen's student.
Shackley embraced Pederssen's hope to further magiontology research and for human-magion cooperation. He believed that the contemporary interest in magic among socialites made both possible, and advocated for the creation of a club dedicated to magiontology. His plans were finally accepted and took the form of the Magiontology Circle, established 1889. Pederssen was named the first president of the Circle, and Shackley himself served as its first secretary. After Pederssen's passing in 1890, Shackley was elected its second president. Later the same year, Idris (years unknown) and Karl Elias Pederssen (1863-1931) approached Shackley with concerns that members of the Circle were attempting parasitical magic. Shackley first dismissed the accusations, claiming that all members were hand-picked and have sighed a proclamation of preservation of magical life. However, soon magion and magic-folk members of the Circle began to leave the circle, claiming they feel unsafe. When Karl submitted his resignation, stating that he can no longer remain in the Circle when it goes against everything his grandfather believed in, Shackley conceded and soon after the Circle was disbanded.
Shackley's relationship with the magical community suffered greatly. Whether he was culpable or not, many blamed him for exposing it to danger and for not responding quickly enough. He accepted responsibility and, for the most part, distanced himself from the magical community, only keeping a few contacts, including Karl. He continued his biology research and specialized in entomology. In his later years he collaborated with Karl in a comparative study of magical and non-magical arachnids. He left his library and research collection to Karl.
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