Allison was born in
Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In 1905, she married physician Edward Wood Allison. After the death of her husband in 1920, she became involved in psychical research. She was the Secretary and Assistant Treasurer of the
American Society for Psychical Research and Chairman of its Committee of Publications. In 1925, she founded the Boston Society for Psychical Research with
Walter Franklin Prince and others. Allison investigated spiritualist mediums such as
Gladys Osborne Leonard and Minnie M. Soule. She authored
Leonard and Soule Experiments (1929).
Gardner Murphy commented that "Her combination of unfailing enthusiasm for the highest quality research and solid skepticism regarding unsound methods made her a precious collaborator." ==Selected publications==