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[[File:Julia K Sommer.jpg|right|240px|thumb|Julia K. Sommer]]
'''Julia Katherine Sommer''' was an American Theosophist, astrologer, lecturer, and educator.

== Early life and education ==

Miss Sommer was born in Heidelberg, Germany on December 15, 1873.<ref>California death certificate.</ref><ref>Charles Hampton, "Report of Services for Julia K. Sommer," Sidney A. Cook Papers. Records Series 08.05. Theosophical Society in America Archives.</ref> She received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Chicago, and a Master of Arts degree from Columbia College [probably Columbia University in New York rather than Columbia College in Chicago].<ref>The International Theosophical Year Book 1938 (Adyar, Madras, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1938): 214.</ref> She taught public school in Chicago, living in 1910 with her younger sister Catherine, who kept house, and her brother William [born Wilhelm], a draftsman.<ref>U. S. Census, 1910 and 1920.</ref> She became a naturalized citizen of the United States on October 24, 1896 in Chicago.<ref>Passenger list of S. S. Berlin. March 8, 1929. Sailing from Southampton to New York.</ref>

[[File:Julia K Sommer 1920.jpg|right|240px|thumb|Julia K. Sommer in 1920]]
== Theosophical work ==

Miss Sommer joined the Theosophical Society on December 12, 1904 in Chicago. From 1912 to 1919, she chaired the Chicago Theosophical Association, which was a federation of lodges.<ref>The International Theosophical Year Book 1938 (Adyar, Madras, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1938): 214.</ref> Her brother William was also a member of the society in Chicago in 1909, and intermittently until 1939.<ref>Membership Ledger Cards microfilm roll 7. Theosophical Society in American Archives.</ref>
[[File:Julia K Sommer Mt Wilson 2.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Miss Sommer hiking on Mt. Wilson in 1922]]
== Educational work ==

In 1920 Miss Sommer moved to Hollywood, California, where she served as principal of the [[School of the Open Gate]] from 1920-1925. The school was operated by the [[Krotona Institute of Theosophy]]. 

She served as president of the '''Theosophical Fraternity in Education for America'''.<ref>"The School of the Open Gate," ''The Messenger'' 8.10 (March 1921), 632.</ref> In her capacity as Chairman of the [[Theosophical World University|Theosophical World-University Association]] in America, she edited '''''Child Training: In the Light of Theosophy''''', which was compiled by Professor [[Ramkrishna Keshava Kulkarni|R. K. Kulkarni]] of the [[League of Parents and Teachers]].

== Later years ==

In retirement Miss Sommers lived at the [[Krotona Institute of Theosophy]] in Ojai, California, and died on February 16, 1945 at a hospital in Los Angeles.<ref>California death certificate.</ref> A service was conducted by [[Charles Hampton|Bishop Charles Hampton]] of the [[Liberal Catholic Church]] in Los Angeles, and was attended by Marie Poutz, [[Joy Mills]], and other friends from the [[Krotona Institute of Theosophy]]. Books were donated, in lieu of flowers, to the [[Krotona Library]] and the [[Henry S. Olcott Memorial Library]].<ref>Charles Hampton, "Report of Services for Julia K. Sommer," Sidney A. Cook Papers. Records Series 08.05. Theosophical Society in America Archives.</ref> She never married.

== Publications ==

* ''Child Training: In the Light of Theosophy''. Wheaton, IL: The Theosophical Press, 1927. Julkarni, R. K., compiler, and Julia K. Sommer, editor.
* ''The Dramatic Instinct: Its Place in Elementary Education''. Chicago: Theosophical Fraternity in Education in America, 1925.
* ''Educational Ideals''. 
* ''Progressive Steps in Education; a Partial Report on the Second West Coast Conference on Progressive Education, a Consideration of the Problems There Discussed, and Historical Matter Pertinent Thereto''. Rochester, N.Y., Henriette Posner, 1930.
* ''When Were You Born? Or, The Prenatal Correction of a Horoscope (a Short-cut Method)''. Ojai, Calif: Theosophical World University in America, 1938.

== Additional resources ==

Correspondence dated 1925-1935 from her work at the Theosophical World-University is in the Mary Anita Ewer Papers at the Cornell University Archives.[http://www.worldcat.org/title/mary-anita-ewer-papers-1922-1936/oclc/074898120]

== Notes ==
<references/>

[[Category:Educators|Sommer, Julia K.]]
[[Category:Lecturers|Sommer, Julia K.]]
[[Category:TS Adyar|Sommer, Julia K.]]
[[Category:Astrologers|Sommer, Julia K.]]
[[Category:Nationality German|Sommer, Julia K.]]
[[Category:Nationality Naturalized American|Sommer, Julia K.]]