View source for Charles A. Blech

[[File:Charles Blech.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Charles A. Blech]]
[[File:Zelma Blech 1915.jpg|right|190px|thumb|Zelma Blech, 1915]]
[[File:Blech - Histoire.jpg|right|150px|thumb|''L'Histoire'', 1933]]
'''Charles A. Blech''' (1855-1934) was General Secretary of the Theosophical Society in France from 1908-1934. One of his most noteworthy efforts was writing '''''Contribution á L’Histoire de la Société Théosophique en France''''', a history of the TS in France.

== Blech family ==

Charles Blech was the son of Charles Blech, Sr. of Alsace. According to [[Annie Besant]], the Blech family - "la famile Blech" - "have been the rock in France upon which The Society's activities were based... a household word, not only in France, but in every country where Theosophy is known."<ref>"Who's Who in the Theosophical Society" ''The Theosophical Year Book, 1938'' (Adyar, Madras, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1938), 169.</ref> Their "beautiful flat at 21, Avenue Montaigne, Paris, was always a home for travelling Theosophists, and in the earlier days Madame Zelma and Mademoiselle Aimée were the most gracious of hostesses."<ref>G. S. A. [George S. Arundale], "Charles Blech," ''The Theosophist'' 55.7 (April 1934), 83.</ref>

: '''Charles Blech, Sr.''' (1826 - July 6, 1903) - Known as the "Father of Theosophy" in France. He donated the Alsace Grove to the [[Theosophical Society (Adyar)|Theosophical Society]] [[Adyar (campus)|headquarters at Adyar]].
: ''' Charles A. Blech''' (1855 - March, 1934) - The son was a mill owner and manufacturer who retired in 1905. During World War I, Blech was in the military, earning in 1918 the Rosette Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur.<ref>"Who's Who in the Theosophical Society" ''The Theosophical Year Book, 1938'' (Adyar, Madras, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1938), 169.</ref>. 
: '''Aimée Blech''' (1862-1930) - Lecturer and writer, known for her "graceful and lucid expositions of Theosophical truths" She served in a military hospital; conducted elementary Theosophy class in Paris for over 25 years though in constant pain from a lingering illness; and formed "The League of Unity" to promote goodwill between disciples of different Teachers.<ref>"Who's Who in the Theosophical Society" ''The Theosophical Year Book, 1938'' (Adyar, Madras, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1938), 169.</ref>. She also wrote Theosophical novels.<ref>"Called Home: Madame Zelma Blech" ''The Theosophist'' 66.1 (October 1944), 19.</ref>
: '''Zelma Blech''' (1854-1944) - "A quiet strength and unfailing devotion which makes her a center of steadfastness and peace."<ref>"Who's Who in the Theosophical Society" ''The Theosophical Year Book, 1938'' (Adyar, Madras, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1938), 169.</ref> She engaged in [[Esoteric Section|E. S.]] work and was involved with the [[Order of the Star in the East]].

== Theosophical Society work ==

At that point of his retirement, Blech became a member of the [[General Council of the Theosophical Society]]<ref>''Memorandum of Association and Rules and Regulations of the Theosophical Society as incorporated at Madras, India, 1905''. Published online at [http://www.katinkahesselink.net/his/rules.htm KatinkaHesselink.net].</ref> He served jointly with [[Théophile Pascal]] as General Secretary of the French Section in 1907-1908, then took over the office in 1908 and held it until 1934. He oversaw "the construction of the impressive headquarters building situated in the heart of Paris and still owned by the TS today."<ref>"France, Theosophy in" in [http://theosophy.ph/encyclo/index.php?title=France,_Theosophy_in Theosopedia].</ref> The building at Rapp Square was dedicated during the [[World Congress of the Theosophical Society (Adyar)|first Theosophical World Congress]] in 1921.<ref>"Called Home: Madame Zelma Blech" ''The Theosophist'' 66.1 (October 1944), 18.</ref> He visited Adyar on November 10, 1925. 

== Writings ==

Several members of the family are represented by articles written by or about them, according to the [[Union Index of Theosophical Periodicals]]. Most were published in [[Le Lotus Bleu (periodical)|''Le Lotus Bleu'']], the journal of the French Section. This is a [http://www.austheos.org.au/cgi-bin/ui-csvsearch.pl?search=Blech list of Blech articles]. Charles Blech is noted for writing a history of Theosophy in France:

* '''''Contribution á L’Histoire de la Société Théosophique en France'''''. Paris: Éditions Adyar, 1933. '''It is available from the [http://resources.theosophical.org/pdf/Blech_Histoire.pdf Olcott Library].'''

== Notes ==
<references/>
[[Category:Writers|Blech, Charles]]
[[Category:Industrialists|Blech, Charles]]
[[Category:General Secretaries in TS Adyar|Blech, Charles]]
[[Category:TS Adyar|Blech, Charles]]
[[Category:Military|Blech, Charles]]
[[Category:Nationality French|Blech, Charles]]