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[[File:Van der Leeuw brothers - Cees Koos Dick.jpg|right|320px|thumb|Van der Leeuw brothers - Cees, Koos (J.J.), Dick]]
Dr. '''Jacobus Johannes (J.J.) van der Leeuw''' was a Dutch Theosophist and writer.
Dr. '''Jacobus Johannes (J.J.) van der Leeuw''' was a Dutch Theosophist and writer.


== Life ==
== Life ==
J. J. van der Leeuw was born in Rotterdam, on August 26, 1893. His nickname was "Koos". He studied law, and later earned a doctorate (LL.D) at the University of Leiden in 1920. A close friend of [[Jiddu Krishnamurti]], he and his brother "Cees" (Cornelis Hendrik) assisted with the [[Order of the Star]]  camps at the Eerde estate in Ommen. Koos went to Sydney, Australia in 1924 for occult training with [[Charles Webster Leadbeater]], and there became a priest in the [[Liberal Catholic Church]].
 
J. J. van der Leeuw was born in Rotterdam, on August 26, 1893. His nickname was "Koos". He studied law, and later earned a doctorate (LL.D) at the University of Leiden in 1920.  


He died in Tanganyika on August 23, 1934 in a crash of the small airplane that he was piloting.
He died in Tanganyika on August 23, 1934 in a crash of the small airplane that he was piloting.
== Theosophical work ==
Koos served as head of the Theosophical Society in The Netherlands. A close friend of [[Jiddu Krishnamurti]], he and his brother "Cees" (Cornelis Hendrik) assisted with the [[Order of the Star]] camps at the Eerde estate in Ommen. Koos went to Sydney, Australia in 1924 for occult training with [[Charles Webster Leadbeater]], and there became a priest in the [[Liberal Catholic Church]]. In the 1930s, he lived in the United States of America, where he was a university lecturer and a field organizer for the New Education Fellowship.


[[File:Leeuw - Fire of Creation.jpg|right|220px|thumb|''The Fire of Creation'', 2nd edition, 1927]]
[[File:Leeuw - Fire of Creation.jpg|right|220px|thumb|''The Fire of Creation'', 2nd edition, 1927]]
== Interaction with Freud ==
During 1933, in Vienna, Dr. van der Leeuw was a regular visitor of Sigmund Freud, who regarded him as his student.<ref>Ariela Freedman, ''Death, Men, and Modernism'' (New York and London: Routledge, 2003), 106.</ref> He was looking to apply psychological principles to general education.<ref>Alice Gambrell, ''Women Intellectuals, Modernism, and Difference'' (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1997), 164.</ref> Hilda Doolittle (H.D.), when learning about Dr. van der Leeuw's accidental death, told Freud:
<blockquote>I felt all the time that he was the person who would apply, carry on the torch--carry on your ideas, but not in a stereotyped way. I felt that you and your work and the future of your work were especially bequeathed to him. Oh, I know there is the great body of the Psycho-Analytical Association, research workers, doctors, trained analysts, and so on! But Dr. van der Leeuw was different. I know that you have felt this very deeply. I came back to Vienna to tell you how sorry I am.<ref>Hilda Doolittle, ''Tribute to Freud'' Volume 4 (New York: New Directions Publishing Corporation, 1984), 6.</ref></blockquote>
Freud regarded Dr. van der Leeuw as an "eminent scholar."<ref>Susan Standford Friedman (editor). ''Analyzing Freud: Letters of H.D., Bryher, and Their Circle'' (London: Paterson Marsh Agency, 2002), 400.</ref>
== Writings ==
== Writings ==
Dr. van der Leeuw's best-known work is '''''The Conquest of Illusion''''', published in London. In announcing the book, publisher Alfred A. Knopf advertised:
Dr. van der Leeuw's best-known work is '''''The Conquest of Illusion''''', published in London. In announcing the book, publisher Alfred A. Knopf advertised:
Line 12: Line 26:
''The Conquest of Illusion'' is Dr. Van Der Leeuw's main work so far and embodies his philosophy. It is the book promised in the Foreword of ''The Fire of Creation'' under the title of ''The Rhythm of Life''. This title was changed later to ''The Conquest of Illusion'', under which title also Dr. Van Der Leeuw's lecture to the Ommen Camp, 1928, was given, and his lecture to the English Convention, which Dr. Besant, who presided, called "the clearest exposition of the nature of Reality she had ever heard".<ref>Alfred A. Knopf advertisement. ''The Theosophist'' 91 (March, 1928), unnumbered page following Supplement.</ref>
''The Conquest of Illusion'' is Dr. Van Der Leeuw's main work so far and embodies his philosophy. It is the book promised in the Foreword of ''The Fire of Creation'' under the title of ''The Rhythm of Life''. This title was changed later to ''The Conquest of Illusion'', under which title also Dr. Van Der Leeuw's lecture to the Ommen Camp, 1928, was given, and his lecture to the English Convention, which Dr. Besant, who presided, called "the clearest exposition of the nature of Reality she had ever heard".<ref>Alfred A. Knopf advertisement. ''The Theosophist'' 91 (March, 1928), unnumbered page following Supplement.</ref>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
These are van der Leeuw's books in the order of publication:
The [[Union Index of Theosophical Periodicals]] lists over 70 [http://www.austheos.org.au/cgi-bin/ui-csvsearch.pl?search=van+der+leeuw&method=all articles by or about] van der Leeuw in 18 different publications. His books were popular and were printed in many editions, and translated into several languages. Here are his titles in the order of publication:
* ''Historical-Idealistic politics'' (1920)
* '''''Historical-Idealistic Politics'''''. 1920.
* ''Practical Idealism and the P.I.A'' (1920)
* '''''Practical Idealism and the P.I.A'''''. 1920.
* ''The Fire of Creation'' (1926), for which he received the Subba Row Medal  
* '''''To Serve Him When He Comes'''''. Adyar, Madras: Order of the Star in the East, 1921. Los Angeles: Budd-Lincoln Co., 1924. Other publishers and printings.
* ''Gods in Exile'' (1926)
* '''''The Fire of Creation'''''. Adyar, Madras, Theosophical Pub. House, 1926. The [[Subba Row Medal]] was awarded in recognition of this work.
* ''Dramatic History of Christian Faith. From the beginning to the death of St. Augustine'' (1927)
* '''''Gods in Exile'''''. Chicago: Theosophical Press, 1926.
* ''The Conquest of Illusion''. London: Alfred A. Knopf, 1928.  
* '''''The Dramatic History of Christian Faith. From the Beginnings to the Death of St. Augustine'''''. Madras, India, Theosophical Pub. House, 1927.
* ''Revelation or Realization, the conflict in theosophy'' (Lecture, 1930)
* '''''The Conquest of Illusion'''''. London: Alfred A. Knopf, 1928. London: Allen & Unwin, 1928.
* ''The Task of Education in a World Crisis'' (1933)
* '''''Revelation or Realization, the conflict in theosophy'''''. 1930. Lecture delivered to the London Federation of the Theosophical Society on June 15th, to the Dutch Convention on June 21st, and to the Geneva Congress of the European Federation on June 30th, 1930.
* ''Why a world police force is inevitable'' (1934)
* '''''The Task of Education in a World Crisis'''''. London: New Education Fellowship, 1932.
* ''We can banish the war! A powerful stand surpassing the thought of war'' (posthumously published in 1950, co-author is Adriaan Viruly)
* '''''Why a World police Force is Inevitable'''''. London: New Commonwealth, 1934. 26 pages. New Commonwealth pamphlets, Series B.
* '''''We Can Banish the War! A powerful stand surpassing the thought of war'''''. 1950. This was published posthumously. The co-author was Adriaan Viruly.
 
== Sound recordings ==


He also wrote numerous article for journals. There are 56 [http://www.austheos.org.au/cgi-bin/ui-csvsearch.pl?search=jj+van+der+leeuw&method=exact articles by or about van der Leeuw] listed in the [[Union Index of Theosophical Periodicals]].
* '''''The Rhythm of Life'''''. Theosophical Society in America, 1916, 1990. Eternal Quest National Radio series. Talk based on the book ''The Fire of Creation''.


== Additional resources ==
== Additional resources ==


* "Johannes Jacobus (J. J.) van der Leeuw" in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johannes_Jacobus_%28J._J.%29_van_der_Leeuw Wikipedia].
* "Johannes Jacobus (J. J.) van der Leeuw" in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johannes_Jacobus_%28J._J.%29_van_der_Leeuw Wikipedia].
* [https://www.theosophy.world/encyclopedia/leeuw-johannes-jacobus-van-dert Leeuw, Johannes Jacobus Van Der] in Theosophy World.
* [http://kingsgarden.org/English/Organizations/lcc.gb/LCIS/Scriptures/Liberal/vdLeeuw/vdLeeuwBio.htm Kingsgarden website].
* [http://kingsgarden.org/English/Organizations/lcc.gb/LCIS/Scriptures/Liberal/vdLeeuw/vdLeeuwBio.htm Kingsgarden website].
* [http://home.earthlink.net/~grharmon/conquest.htm Conquest of Illusion].
* [http://home.earthlink.net/~grharmon/conquest.htm Conquest of Illusion].
* [http://www.alpheus.org/html/source_materials/krishnamurti/leeuw.html Revelation or Realization: The Conflict in Theosophy].


== Notes ==
== Notes ==
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[[Category:General Secretaries in TS Adyar|van de Leeuw, J. J.]]
[[Category:General Secretaries in TS Adyar|van de Leeuw, J. J.]]
[[Category:Nationality Dutch|van der Leeuw, J. J.]]
[[Category:Nationality Dutch|van der Leeuw, J. J.]]
[[Category:People|van der Leeuw, J. J.]]

Latest revision as of 04:19, 23 November 2023

Van der Leeuw brothers - Cees, Koos (J.J.), Dick

Dr. Jacobus Johannes (J.J.) van der Leeuw was a Dutch Theosophist and writer.

Life

J. J. van der Leeuw was born in Rotterdam, on August 26, 1893. His nickname was "Koos". He studied law, and later earned a doctorate (LL.D) at the University of Leiden in 1920.

He died in Tanganyika on August 23, 1934 in a crash of the small airplane that he was piloting.

Theosophical work

Koos served as head of the Theosophical Society in The Netherlands. A close friend of Jiddu Krishnamurti, he and his brother "Cees" (Cornelis Hendrik) assisted with the Order of the Star camps at the Eerde estate in Ommen. Koos went to Sydney, Australia in 1924 for occult training with Charles Webster Leadbeater, and there became a priest in the Liberal Catholic Church. In the 1930s, he lived in the United States of America, where he was a university lecturer and a field organizer for the New Education Fellowship.

The Fire of Creation, 2nd edition, 1927

Interaction with Freud

During 1933, in Vienna, Dr. van der Leeuw was a regular visitor of Sigmund Freud, who regarded him as his student.[1] He was looking to apply psychological principles to general education.[2] Hilda Doolittle (H.D.), when learning about Dr. van der Leeuw's accidental death, told Freud:

I felt all the time that he was the person who would apply, carry on the torch--carry on your ideas, but not in a stereotyped way. I felt that you and your work and the future of your work were especially bequeathed to him. Oh, I know there is the great body of the Psycho-Analytical Association, research workers, doctors, trained analysts, and so on! But Dr. van der Leeuw was different. I know that you have felt this very deeply. I came back to Vienna to tell you how sorry I am.[3]

Freud regarded Dr. van der Leeuw as an "eminent scholar."[4]

Writings

Dr. van der Leeuw's best-known work is The Conquest of Illusion, published in London. In announcing the book, publisher Alfred A. Knopf advertised:

The Conquest of Illusion is Dr. Van Der Leeuw's main work so far and embodies his philosophy. It is the book promised in the Foreword of The Fire of Creation under the title of The Rhythm of Life. This title was changed later to The Conquest of Illusion, under which title also Dr. Van Der Leeuw's lecture to the Ommen Camp, 1928, was given, and his lecture to the English Convention, which Dr. Besant, who presided, called "the clearest exposition of the nature of Reality she had ever heard".[5]

The Union Index of Theosophical Periodicals lists over 70 articles by or about van der Leeuw in 18 different publications. His books were popular and were printed in many editions, and translated into several languages. Here are his titles in the order of publication:

  • Historical-Idealistic Politics. 1920.
  • Practical Idealism and the P.I.A. 1920.
  • To Serve Him When He Comes. Adyar, Madras: Order of the Star in the East, 1921. Los Angeles: Budd-Lincoln Co., 1924. Other publishers and printings.
  • The Fire of Creation. Adyar, Madras, Theosophical Pub. House, 1926. The Subba Row Medal was awarded in recognition of this work.
  • Gods in Exile. Chicago: Theosophical Press, 1926.
  • The Dramatic History of Christian Faith. From the Beginnings to the Death of St. Augustine. Madras, India, Theosophical Pub. House, 1927.
  • The Conquest of Illusion. London: Alfred A. Knopf, 1928. London: Allen & Unwin, 1928.
  • Revelation or Realization, the conflict in theosophy. 1930. Lecture delivered to the London Federation of the Theosophical Society on June 15th, to the Dutch Convention on June 21st, and to the Geneva Congress of the European Federation on June 30th, 1930.
  • The Task of Education in a World Crisis. London: New Education Fellowship, 1932.
  • Why a World police Force is Inevitable. London: New Commonwealth, 1934. 26 pages. New Commonwealth pamphlets, Series B.
  • We Can Banish the War! A powerful stand surpassing the thought of war. 1950. This was published posthumously. The co-author was Adriaan Viruly.

Sound recordings

  • The Rhythm of Life. Theosophical Society in America, 1916, 1990. Eternal Quest National Radio series. Talk based on the book The Fire of Creation.

Additional resources

Notes

  1. Ariela Freedman, Death, Men, and Modernism (New York and London: Routledge, 2003), 106.
  2. Alice Gambrell, Women Intellectuals, Modernism, and Difference (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1997), 164.
  3. Hilda Doolittle, Tribute to Freud Volume 4 (New York: New Directions Publishing Corporation, 1984), 6.
  4. Susan Standford Friedman (editor). Analyzing Freud: Letters of H.D., Bryher, and Their Circle (London: Paterson Marsh Agency, 2002), 400.
  5. Alfred A. Knopf advertisement. The Theosophist 91 (March, 1928), unnumbered page following Supplement.