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[[File:AP Sinnett.jpg|210px|right|thumb|Alfred Percy Sinnett]]
'''Alfred Percy Sinnett''' ([[January 18]], 1840, London -  [[June 26]], 1921) was an English author, journalist, and [[Theosophist]], who played an important part in growth of the [[Theosophical Society]] during its first generation.

== Life and career ==

Alfred Percy Sinnett was born on [[January 18]], 1840, in London, Middlesex County. His father was a journalist, and his mother a writer who had published numerous books. Alfred's father died when he was only five years old. His widowed mother Jane struggled to sustain three boys and three girls by writing newspaper articles and translations, and by working as a governess. Young Sinnett was admitted to the London Unversity School as a scholarship student, but left it without finishing his studies. He learned mechanical drawing, and worked briefly as a draftsman until he eventually obtained a position as assistant and sub-editor of ''The Globe'', an evening newspaper.<ref>A. P. Sinnett, ''Autobiography of Alfred Percy Sinnet'' (London: Theosophical History Centre, 1986), 5-9.</ref>

From 1859-1870, Sinnett wrote articles for the ''Morning Chronicle'', the ''Birmingham Daily Gazette'', and the ''Manchester Guardian'' in England, then went to Sweden as a special correspondent for the ''Daily News'', followed by a trip to Ireland for the ''Daily Telegraph''. On the ship to Ireland, he met the famous Professor Thomson, who was later known as Lord Kelvin. Late in 1865, he accepted the editorship of the "Hong Kong Daily Press," where he worked for three years. On his return journey, he visited Japan and crossed the United States by stagecoach. During a stop in Salt Lake City, he interviewed Mormon leader Brigham Young.<ref>A. P. Sinnett, ''Autobiography of Alfred Percy Sinnet'' (London: Theosophical History Centre, 1986), 14-16.</ref> 

Back in London, Sinnett became acquainted with the Edensor family. On [[April 6]], 1870, Sinnett married  [[Patience Sinnett|Patience Edensor]], at St. John's Church, Notting Hill, in London.<ref>London Metropolitan Archives, Saint John The Evangelist, Ladbroke Grove, Register of marriages, P84/JN, Item 018.</ref> By that time he had become an editorial writer for ''The Evening Standard''. 
In 1872, George Allen, the proprietor of the Anglo-Indian newspaper [[The Pioneer (periodical)|''The Pioneer'']], offered him the editorship. Sinnett had "long been impressed with the belief that the only way of doing really well in journalism was by getting good editorial appointment in India,"<ref>A. P. Sinnett, ''Autobiography of Alfred Percy Sinnet'' (London: Theosophical History Centre, 1986), 13.</ref> so he resigned his previous position and left for India, arriving at [[Allahabad, India|Allahabad]] toward the end of the year. 

== Years in India ==

During the years in India, 1872-1883, the Sinnetts had a good income, a pleasant social life, and professional recognition. Generally they lived in Allahabad, where ''The Pioneer'' was based, during the cooler months, and in [[Simla, India|Simla]] during the hot weather of the summer. In Simla, the couple visited with other British residents and held picnics to enjoy the spectacular scenery. Mr. Sinnett played waltzes and Beethoven sonatas on the piano.<ref>Vicente Hao Chin, Jr., ''The Mahatma Letters to A.P. Sinnett in Chronological Sequence'' No. 68 (Quezon City: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 33. Koot Hoomi mentioned the piano playing in [[Mahatma Letter No. 68#33|Mahatma Letter No. 68.]]</ref>

On [[May 16]], 1877, Mrs. Sinnett gave birth to a son, [[Percy Edensor Sinnett]], generally called "Denny". In March, 1881, the family returned to England for a holiday, and Patience, who was expecting a second child, remained in Notting Hill with her mother. On July 14th, the baby was delivered still-born.<ref>A. P. Sinnett, ''Autobiography", 19-20.</ref>   

In 1875, during a visit to London, Sinnett had become interested in [[Spiritualism]]. A friend, perhaps Herbert Stack, had told him of the publication of Madame Blavatsky's first book, [[Isis Unveiled (book)|''Isis Unveiled'']]. In 1879, Sinnett read in a newspaper that [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky|H. P. Blavatsky]] and [[Henry Steel Olcott|Col. H. S. Olcott]] have arrived at Bombay. Assuming they were Spiritualists, he wrote them a letter expressing his desire to become acquainted with them, and his willingness to publish any information which they liked to give him about their mission in India. On [[December 4]] of that year [[Founders#The Founders|the Founders]] visited Mr and Mrs Sinnett at their house in Allahabad and remained there as their guests for six weeks.<ref>Alfred Percy Sinnett,''The Occult World'', 42. Available at [http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Occult_World/Recent_Occult_Phenomena#Page_42 WikiSource].</ref> Colonel Olcott lectured on Theosophy at the Mayo Hall, with [[Allan Octavian Hume|A. O. Hume]] chairing the assembly, and Madame Blavatsky charmed  the Sinnetts' friends at dinner parties.<ref>A. P. Sinnett, ''Autobiography", 24-25.</ref>  This visit began a life-long association with them and the [[Theosophical Society]].

== The Mahatma Letters ==
[[File:Sinnett crest 6305 MLB21 ML76.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Sinnett crest on [[Mahatma Letter No. 76|Mahatma Letter 76]]]]
In 1880 [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky|Helena Blavatsky]] and [[Henry Steel Olcott]] paid a second visit to the Sinnetts, this time at their summer-home in [[Simla, India|Simla]]. Many wonderful [[phenomena]] took place at the time, which Mr. Sinnett described in his book [[The Occult World (book)|''The Occult World'']]. Although the phenomena were performed in front of witnesses and in a careful way, Sinnett wanted to design one that could be "really complete in their details and leave no opening for the suggestion even of imposture."<ref>Alfred Percy Sinnett, ''The Occult World'' (London: Theosophical Publishing House, 1969), 81.</ref> It was then that the famous correspondence with the [[Mahatmas]] began. In Sinnett's words:

<blockquote>One day, therefore, I asked Madame Blavatsky whether if I wrote a letter to one of the Brothers explaining my views, she could get it delivered for me. I hardly thought this was probable, as I knew how very unapproachable the Brothers generally are; but as she said that at any rate she would try, I wrote a letter, addressing it " to the Unknown Brother," and gave it to her to see if any result would ensue. It was a happy inspiration that induced me to do this, for out of that small beginning has arisen the most interesting correspondence in which I have ever been privileged to engage.<ref>Alfred Percy Sinnett, ''The Occult World'' (London: Theosophical Publishing House, 1969), 82.</ref></blockquote>

The "Unknown Brother" that answered was the one known as [[Koot Hoomi]], and from this grew a correspondence that took place from 1880 to 1885. The letters that Sinnett and his friend [[A. O. Hume]] received were published in 1923 under the title [[The Mahatma Letters to A. P. Sinnett (book)|''The Mahatma Letters to A. P. Sinnett'']].

Most of the letters were transmitted by psychic means and [[Precipitation|precipitated]] by different [[chelas]] such as [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky|H. P. Blavatsky]], [[Damodar K. Mavalankar]], and others.

On [[October 19]], 1880, Mr. Sinnett received an astral visit by [[Koot Hoomi|Master K.H.]]. About four years later [[William Q. Judge]] asked Mr. Sinnett about this, and reported the following:

<blockquote>He was lying in his bed in India one night, when suddenly awakening, he found K. H. standing by his bed. He rose half up, when K. H. put his hand on his head, causing him to fall at once back on the pillow. He then, he says, found himself out of his body, and in the next room, talking to another adept whom he describes as an English or European, with light hair, fair, and of great beauty. This is the one Olcott described to me in 1876 and called by name ------ [ [[Serapis]] ] . . . He described K. H. as looking then not exactly like the picture now in his possession, but with some resemblance to it.<ref>William Q. Judge, ''Letters That Have Helped Me'', (Los Angeles:The Theosophy Company, 1946), 196.</ref></blockquote>

As to why the [[Mahatmas]] agreed to enter in correspondence with him and [[Allan Octavian Hume|Mr. Hume]], the [[Koot Hoomi|Master K.H.]] wrote: 

<blockquote>Your sagacity, my kind friend, will have suggested long ago, that it is not so much because of your combined personal virtues — though Mr. Hume I must confess, has run up a large claim since his conversion — or my personal preferences for either of you, as for other and very apparent reasons. Of all our semi-chelas you two are the most likely to utilise for the general good the facts given you. You must regard them received in trust for the benefit of the whole Society; to be turned over, and employed and re-employed in many ways and in all ways that are good. If you (Mr. Sinnett) would give pleasure to your trans-Himalayan friend, do not suffer any month to pass without writing a Fragment, long or short for the magazine, and then, issuing it as a pamphlet — since you so call it.<ref>Vicente Hao Chin, Jr., ''The Mahatma Letters to A.P. Sinnett in chronological sequence'' No. 68 (Quezon City: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 202-203. See [[Mahatma Letter No. 68]]</ref></blockquote>

== Work at ''The Pioneer'' ==

[[File:Pioneer letterhead 7221 MLB119 ML109.jpg|200px|thumb|''Pioneer'' letterhead<br>from [[Mahatma Letter No. 109]].]]
In 1872, Sinnett became editor of [[The Pioneer (periodical)|''The Pioneer'']], owned by Sir George William Allen.<ref>"Sir George William Allen KCIE," [http://www.myjacobfamily.com/favershamjacobs/georgeallen.htm]</ref> In the eleven years of his editorship, the little paper grew into the leading Anglo-Indian daily newspaper of the day.<ref>[http://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/mahatma/ml-ccpre.htm Combined Chronology of The Mahatma Letters - Preface]</ref> 

Soon after Sinnett's meeting with the [[Founders#The Founders|Founders]] he established a correspondence with the [[Mahatmas]]. Through this correspondence and his involvement with [[Theosophy]] his attitude about the natives and the Indian affairs began to change, becoming more supportive.

In 1879 [[Clive Rattigan]] and a partner purchased ''The Pioneer'' from Allen and the new proprietors communicated to Mr. Sinnett that at the end of his engagement, in November of that year, the newspaper would no longer need his services. Sinnett wrote of Rattigan: 

<blockquote>
He had been from the first intensely unsympathetic with my interest in the occult development ..., but for my connection with Theosophy it
would have been unlikely that my connection with the Pioneer would have been disturbed at this period. There was some friction between myself and the new proprietors, but my success as writer had become fairly conspicuous and the friction such as it was would not have been enough to break the tie. But again both my wife and I had grown tired of the Indian life and wished to be back in England. It seemed just possible that the savings of our time in India, plus journalistic work at home, would enable us to live there in moderate comfort, so that we contemplated my resignation of the Pioneer editorship as a step we might be inclined to take. The parting therefore was neither strained nor unfriendly, and for many years after my return to England I continued to write articles of various kinds for the paper in India.<ref>Alfred Percy Sinnett, ''Early Days of Theosophy in Europe''. (Theosophical Publishing House Ltd, London, 1922),38-39. Available online at [http://theosophical.ca/books/EarlyDaysOfTheosophyInEurope,The_APSinnett.pdf Canadian Theosophical Association].</ref>
</blockquote>

The Sinnetts were not reluctant to return to England; he wrote that "We had grown very tired of the Anglo-Indian life of empty and frivolous gaiety".<ref>Sinnett, ''Autobiography'', 22.</ref> 

== The ''Phoenix''  venture ==

After Sinnett was dismissed from [[The Pioneer (periodical)|''The Pioneer'']] in 1883, the Master K. H. made an effort to engage  Sinnett in organizing a newspaper called the [[Phoenix venture|''The Phoenix'']], supported by Indian capital. This newspaper sought to help in raising the social and economic condition of the Indian masses, their sense of self-respect, and their standing in the eyes of the world.

Sinnett left for England hoping to return to India for this project, but after considerable efforts to raise the funds needed the enterprise had to be abandoned for lack of support from the Indians.

== Return to England ==

Late in February 1883 the Sinnetts left Allahabad for England, stopping by first in Madras. There, he was engaged in writing his [[Esoteric Buddhism (book)|''Esoteric Buddhism'']]. He planned to return to India to publish a new journal, [[Phoenix venture|''The Phoenix'']], as soon as capital has been made available, something that never materialized.

On [[March 30]] the Sinnetts sailed for Europe on the P. & O. steamer ''SS Peshawar'', reaching England on [[April 26]]. Upon his arrival he attracted the interest of the London [[Spiritualism|Spiritualists]], members of the [[Psychical Research Society]], and [[Theosophy|Theosophists]] such as the [[Francesca Arundale|Arundales]] and the [[Gebhard family|Gebhards]]. At this time, his second book, ''Esoteric Buddhism'', was published.

In April/May 1883 Sinnett became a member of the [[London Lodge]]. In autumn 1883, the Lodge separated into two parts, one following Sinnett, the other following [[Anna Bonus Kingsford]]. He became the President of the Lodge in January 1885.<ref>Alfred Percy Sinnett, ''Autobiography of Alfred Percy Sinnett'' (London: Theosophical History Centre, 1986), 31.</ref> At this time, he made the acquaintance of [[Charles Webster Leadbeater]], an Anglican curate who became interested in [[Theosophy]] after having read ''Esoteric Buddhism''. 

In 1886 the proprietors of ''The Pioneer'' decided to establish a London office, a task that was entrusted to Sinnett. He was in charge of this office for a couple of years until the proprietor himself took over. 

In 1889, Sinnett asked [[Charles Webster Leadbeater|C. W. Leadbeater]] to come back to England from Ceylon to tutor his son Denny, now a boy of 12, and [[George S. Arundale|George Arundale]]. Leadbeater agreed and brought with him one of his pupils [[Curuppumullage Jinarājadāsa]]. Around 1891, he was able to help Leadbeater obtain employment in the London office of ''The Pioneer''.<ref>Alfred Percy Sinnett, ''Early Days of Theosophy in Europe''. (Theosophical Publishing House Ltd, London, 1922),110-111. Available online at [http://theosophical.ca/books/EarlyDaysOfTheosophyInEurope,The_APSinnett.pdf Canadian Theosophical Association].</ref>

== Later years ==

He became Vice President of the Theosophical Society from 1880-8, and was also in that role from 1895-1907, and from 1911-21.

In 1907 the President-Founder [[Henry Steel Olcott]] died. Sinnett, as Vice-President, became invested with the authority of the Presidential office until [[Annie Besant]] was elected as the second international President of the [[Theosophical Society (Adyar)]].

On [[May 11]], 1908, his son Denny died of tubercolosis, at 31 years of age. Sinnett's wife Patience died of cancer the same year, at midnight on [[November 9]], despite her husband's skillful efforts at [[Mesmerism|mesmeric healing]]. After the passing of his beloved Patience, Mr. Sinnett was devastated and sought assistance from psychic [[Violet Tweedale]] to get news of his wife from the world beyond. 

As a diversion in those days, Sinnett picked up a story, "Married by Degrees", that he had published in ''Broad Views'', and turned it into a three-act play. With encouragement from American actress and Theosophist [[Maud Hoffman]], the play was produced at the Royal Court Theatre on March 5 and again on September 16, 1911. Maud Hoffman was in the cast, and the play was favorably reviewed, but ultimately lost money.<ref>Alfred Percy Sinnett, ''Autobiography of Alfred Percy Sinnett'' (London: Theosophical History Centre, 1986), 53-56.</ref> In another financial experiment, Sinnett invested some of his remaining funds into the International Foil Company, of which he became a Director and ultimately Chairman.<ref>Alfred Percy Sinnett, ''Autobiography of Alfred Percy Sinnett'' (London: Theosophical History Centre, 1986), 56.</ref> 

During a series of sittings with a clairvoyant friend, Robert King, from 1909 to 1914, Sinnett eventually was able to communicate with Patience, with Koot Hoomi, and others. He lectured to the Eleusinian Society in 1911, forecasting the First World War and the redistribution of land that followed it, through information received from the [[Brotherhood of Adepts|White Lodge]]. During the war years he frequently wrote articles for ''The Nineteenth Century'' about the forces at work in the world.

Until the end of his life, Sinnett continued to be active in Theosophical Society work. He wrote, lectured all over England, and conducted the meetings of the revived London Lodge. His close friends, supported by many others collected funds to support him, and presented a large check to him on April 5, 1919 in a gathering at Maud Hoffman's house.<ref>Alfred Percy Sinnett, "At a Later Date" appendix to ''Autobiography of Alfred Percy Sinnett'' (London: Theosophical History Centre, 1986), 3-5.</ref> [[Annie Besant]] subsequently initiated a "testimonial" collection from Theosophists worldwide, in appreciation of Sinnett's many accomplishments.

Mr Sinnett died on [[June 26]], 1921, at the age of 81.

== Writings ==

In March 1881, when the Sinnetts went to England for a holiday, APS published his first Theosophical book, [[The Occult World (book)|''The Occult World'']]. It described the occult [[phenomena]] produced by [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky|Mme. Blavatsky]] in India. The book produced a profound impact but generated tense relations within part of the Anglo-Indian society, and eventually led to his dismissal as Editor of [[The Pioneer (periodical)|''The Pioneer'']].

During his return to England, in 1883, he published his second book, [[Esoteric Buddhism (book)|''Esoteric Buddhism'']], which had a huge impact on the Theosophical Movement.

His other works, in order of publication:
*'''''Karma: A Novel'''''. London: Chapman and Hall, 1885. Chicago: The Yogi Publication Society, 1911. Reprinted by Mokelumne Hill, CA: Health Research, Mokelumne, 1968. Available online from [http://archive.org/details/karmanovel00sinnrich Internet Archive] and from [http://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/006155937 Hathitrust].
*'''''Occult Essays''''', 1886. London: Theosophical Publishing Society, 1905. Available from [http://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/008621200 Hathitrust].
*'''''United: A Novel''''', London  G. Redway, 1886. It was serialized in ''Broad Views'', 1904-1905. Volume I is available from [http://archive.org/details/unitednovel01sinn Internet Archive - Vol. I], and Volume II from [http://archive.org/details/unitednovel02sinn Internet Archive - Vol. II].
*'''''The Rationale of Mesmerism'''''. London  K. Paul, Trench, Trübner, 1892. Boston: Houghton, Mifflin and Co., 1892. Available from [http://archive.org/details/rationaleofmesme00sinn Internet Archive], from [http://openlibrary.org/books/OL6527558M/The_rationale_of_mesmerism Open Library], from [http://openlibrary.org/books/OL6527558M/The_rationale_of_mesmerism Hathitrust], and from  [http://www.forgottenbooks.org/books/The_Rationale_of_Mesmerism_1000001405 Forgotten Books]
*'''''Nature's Mysteries, and How Theosophy Illuminates Them'''''. 1901. Revised and reprinted by Los Angeles, CA: Theosophical Publishing House, 1918. Available from [http://hpb.narod.ru/NaturesMysteries.htm HPB.NAROD.RU]. 
*'''''The Growth of the Soul: a Sequel to "Esoteric Buddhism"'''''. 2nd edition, enlarged. London: Theosophical Publishing  Society, 1905. Available from [http://archive.org/details/growthofsoulsequ00sinnrich Internet Archive].
*'''''Married by Degrees''''', 1911. A play.
*'''''In the Next World: Actual Narratives of Personal Experiences by Some Who Have Passed On''''', London: Theosophical Pub. Society, 1914.
*'''''The Spiritual Powers and the War'''''. London: Theosophical Publishing Society, 1915.  
*'''''Collected Fruits of Occult Teaching'''''. Philadelphia, PA: J. P. Lippincott, Philadelphia, 1920. Available from [http://archive.org/details/collectedfruitso00sinniala Internet Archive].
* '''''The Social Upheaval in Progress'''''. With a foreword by Annie Besant. London, Theosophical Publishing House, 1920. Available at [http://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/011257215 Hathitrust]. Pamphlet.
*'''''Tennyson An Occultist; As His Writings Prove'''''. London: Theosophical Publishing House, 1920. New York: Haskell, 1972. Available from [http://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/001775421 Hathitrust] and from [http://www.forgottenbooks.org/books/Tennyson_an_Occultist_1000567679 Forgotten Books]. 
*'''''The Early Days of Theosophy in Europe'''''. Theosophical Publishing House Ltd, London, 1922. Published posthumously, this gives an account of how the Sinnetts came to invite HPB to Simla; how APS left ''The Pioneer''; the use of the term [[Brotherhood]]; [[Anna Bonus Kingsford]]; HPB's time in Europe; the Gebhard family; and many other aspects of early TS history. Manuscript published after death. Available online at [http://theosophical.ca/books/EarlyDaysOfTheosophyInEurope,The_APSinnett.pdf Canadian Theosophical Association].Also available at [http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.31822035060342;view=1up;seq=21 Hathitrust], scanned from a volume that belonged to and has annotations by Iverson Harris.
*'''''Super-Physical Science'''''. London: Theosophical Publishing House, 1924. Manuscript published after death. Available from [http://archive.org/details/superphysicalsc00sinngoog Internet Archive].
*'''''Autobiography of Alfred Percy Sinnet'''''. London: Theosophical History Centre, 1986. Manuscript published after death. Note: the surname is spelled with one "t".

He was editor for these works:
*'''''Incidents in the Life of Madame Blavatsky: Compiled from Information Supplied by Her Relatives and Friends'''''. London: G. Redway, 1886. London: Theosophical Pub. Society, 1913. Available from [http://archive.org/details/cu31924029172983 Internet Archive].
* Besant, Annie, and Charles W. Leadbeater. '''''Occult Chemistry: Clairvoyant Observations on the Chemical Elements'''''. Revised edition. London : Theosophical Pub. House, 1919. The Editor's Preface stated: "I have contributed an entirely new preliminary chapter ... From the beginning of chapter III to the end the book in its present form is simply a reprint of the original edition." Available from [http://archive.org/details/occultchemistryc00besa Internet Archive].
 
Published lectures include:
*'''"The Pyramids and Stonehenge"'''. London, 1893. Second edition - London: Theosophical Publishing Society, 1901. Third edition - London: Theosophical Pub. House, 1958. Reprinted in 1970. Originally delivered as two lectures before the Theosophical Society, London, in 1892-93.

==Online resources==
===Articles===
*[http://theosophy.ph/encyclo/index.php?title=Sinnett,_Alfred_percy# Alfred Percy Sinnett] at Theosopedia

===Additional resources===
*[http://www.astro.com/cgi/chart.cgi?wgid=wgeJwtjkELwjAMhX-NtziaTWFYcvAggngQPHjO6OiGayZbS-m_NxMJPML7wsvL43uk2vpAjFYcPUeRPkY4V48KAmALqHIwUDenxkAwGQ34NIGB-yxuFriIn1gc_MgRRa-SUh3LrhMOPW1hu9r8szfbcewJWzVvLImXotv2xnaxfLRPiANxzHZYC-3RLivh6_oFPfAz9A# A. P. Sinnett's Natal Chart] at Astrodienst
* [http://www.stagebeauty.net/produce/th-rvw008.html Review of play "Married by Degrees"]. ''The Playgoer and Society Illustrated'' 5.25 (September 16, 1911). Available at StageBeauty.net.

== Notes==
<references />

[[Category:Associates of HPB|Sinnett, Alfred Percy]]
[[Category:Writers|Sinnett, Alfred Percy]]
[[Category:Editors|Sinnett, Alfred Percy]]
[[Category:Received Mahatma Letters|Sinnett, Alfred Percy]]
[[Category:Nationality English|Sinnett, Alfred Percy]]
[[Category:Chelas|Sinnett, Alfred Percy]]
[[Category:People who encountered Mahatmas|Sinnett, Alfred Percy]]
[[Category:People who witnessed phenomena|Sinnett, Alfred Percy]]