James S. Perkins - Revision history

SysopJ: /* Years as International Vice-President */

2025-07-07T16:38:43Z

Years as International Vice-President

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:38, 7 July 2025
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	James Perkins served as Vice-President of the international [[Theosophical Society (Adyar)\|Theosophical Society in Adyar]] for over ten years, beginning in 1961, during the administration of [[N. Sri Ram]]. During those years, he lived at the headquarters in [[Adyar, India]], but was very active lecturing internationally. He spoke in several European countries, and in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. His wife Kathrine continued lecturing, as well, and was co-director of the [[School of the Wisdom]] at Adyar. After Mr. Sri Ram died in April 8, 1973, Mr. Perkins served as Acting President, conducting the annual [[White Lotus Day]] celebration and inaugurating the Annual Workers' Training Camp held from May 7-21.<ref>"Recording Secretary, "Theosophists at Work Around the World", ''The Theosophist'' 94.9 (June, 1973), 226-227.</ref>		James Perkins served as Vice-President of the international [[Theosophical Society (Adyar)\|Theosophical Society in Adyar]] for over ten years, beginning in 1961, during the administration of [[N. Sri Ram]]. During those years, he lived at the headquarters in [[Adyar, India]], but was very active lecturing internationally. He spoke in several European countries, and in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. His wife Kathrine continued lecturing, as well, and was co-director of the [[School of the Wisdom]] at Adyar. After Mr. Sri Ram died in April 8, 1973, Mr. Perkins served as Acting President, conducting the annual [[White Lotus Day]] celebration and inaugurating the Annual Workers' Training Camp held from May 7-21.<ref>"Recording Secretary, "Theosophists at Work Around the World", ''The Theosophist'' 94.9 (June, 1973), 226-227.</ref>

	[[File:Perkinses_ion_Australia.jpg\|~~150px~~\|right\|thumb\|Perkinses in Australia]]		[[File:Perkinses_ion_Australia.jpg\|180px\|right\|thumb\|Perkinses in Australia]]

	== Later years ==		== Later years ==

SysopJ: /* Later years */

2025-07-07T16:38:18Z

Later years

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:38, 7 July 2025
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	James Perkins served as Vice-President of the international [[Theosophical Society (Adyar)\|Theosophical Society in Adyar]] for over ten years, beginning in 1961, during the administration of [[N. Sri Ram]]. During those years, he lived at the headquarters in [[Adyar, India]], but was very active lecturing internationally. He spoke in several European countries, and in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. His wife Kathrine continued lecturing, as well, and was co-director of the [[School of the Wisdom]] at Adyar. After Mr. Sri Ram died in April 8, 1973, Mr. Perkins served as Acting President, conducting the annual [[White Lotus Day]] celebration and inaugurating the Annual Workers' Training Camp held from May 7-21.<ref>"Recording Secretary, "Theosophists at Work Around the World", ''The Theosophist'' 94.9 (June, 1973), 226-227.</ref>		James Perkins served as Vice-President of the international [[Theosophical Society (Adyar)\|Theosophical Society in Adyar]] for over ten years, beginning in 1961, during the administration of [[N. Sri Ram]]. During those years, he lived at the headquarters in [[Adyar, India]], but was very active lecturing internationally. He spoke in several European countries, and in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. His wife Kathrine continued lecturing, as well, and was co-director of the [[School of the Wisdom]] at Adyar. After Mr. Sri Ram died in April 8, 1973, Mr. Perkins served as Acting President, conducting the annual [[White Lotus Day]] celebration and inaugurating the Annual Workers' Training Camp held from May 7-21.<ref>"Recording Secretary, "Theosophists at Work Around the World", ''The Theosophist'' 94.9 (June, 1973), 226-227.</ref>

			[[File:Perkinses_ion_Australia.jpg\|150px\|right\|thumb\|Perkinses in Australia]]
	== Later years ==		== Later years ==

SysopJ: /* Theosophical work */

2025-07-01T19:40:57Z

Theosophical work

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:40, 1 July 2025
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	[[File:Perkins color.jpg\|160px\|left\|thumb\|James S. Perkins. Image from TSA Archives.]]		[[File:Perkins color.jpg\|160px\|left\|thumb\|James S. Perkins. Image from TSA Archives.]]
	[[File:Perkins at Olcott 1947.jpg\|250px\|right\|thumb\|James and Kathrine Perkins at Olcott in 1947. Image from TSA Archives.]]		[[File:Perkins at Olcott 1947.jpg\|250px\|right\|thumb\|James and Kathrine Perkins at Olcott in 1947. Image from TSA Archives.]]
	[[File:Kathrine Perkins by Richard Chesrow.jpg\|right\|thumb\|Kathrine Perkins, by Richard Chesrow]]		[[File:Kathrine Perkins by Richard Chesrow.jpg\|right\|160px\|thumb\|Kathrine Perkins, by Richard Chesrow]]

	He was a founding member of a branch of the [[American Theosophical Society]] in Cincinnati, which formed on December 20, 1928. He was lodge president for six years, and also served five terms as president of the Ohio Theosophical Federation, which he helped to found.<ref>Joy Mills, "James S. Perkins, 1899-1991," ''The American Theosophist'' 79.2 (March-April), 6.</ref>		He was a founding member of a branch of the [[American Theosophical Society]] in Cincinnati, which formed on December 20, 1928. He was lodge president for six years, and also served five terms as president of the Ohio Theosophical Federation, which he helped to found.<ref>Joy Mills, "James S. Perkins, 1899-1991," ''The American Theosophist'' 79.2 (March-April), 6.</ref>

SysopJ: /* Art */

2025-07-01T19:36:20Z

Art

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:36, 1 July 2025
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	== Art ==		== Art ==
			[[File:Perkins illustration AT 1949.jpg\|right\|220px\|thumb\|Magazine illustration]]
	James Perkins was a commercial artist. He frequently used his professional skills to illustrate books about Theosophical concepts. His drawing "From the One the Many Return to the One" was made into an oil painting by a Cuban artist. Over six feet high, it was hung in "the temple" in San Juan, Puerto Rico and was described as "a great source of inspiration to all of the members, and to all who see it."<ref>"Painting in Puerto Rico," ''The American Theosophist'' 38.8 (August, 1950), 163</ref> His style is reminiscent of the Idealist artists like [[Jean Delville]].		James Perkins was a commercial artist. He frequently used his professional skills to illustrate books about Theosophical concepts. His drawing "From the One the Many Return to the One" was made into an oil painting by a Cuban artist. Over six feet high, it was hung in "the temple" in San Juan, Puerto Rico and was described as "a great source of inspiration to all of the members, and to all who see it."<ref>"Painting in Puerto Rico," ''The American Theosophist'' 38.8 (August, 1950), 163</ref> His style is reminiscent of the Idealist artists like [[Jean Delville]].

	The following are examples of his book illustrations.		The following are examples of his book illustrations.

	<gallery widths="130px" heights="150px" perrow="5">		<gallery widths="130px" heights="150px" perrow="3">
	File:Perkins 4.jpg		File:Perkins 4.jpg
	File:Perkins 19.jpg		File:Perkins 19.jpg
	~~File:Perkins 23.jpg~~
	File:Perkins 30.jpg		File:Perkins 30.jpg
	File:Perkins 5.jpg		File:Perkins 5.jpg
			File:Perkins 23.jpg
	</gallery>		</gallery>

SysopJ: /* Art */

2025-07-01T19:15:01Z

Art

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:15, 1 July 2025
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	File:Perkins 5.jpg		File:Perkins 5.jpg
	</gallery>		</gallery>

			These were slides for presentations:

			<gallery widths="130px" heights="150px" perrow="5">
			File:JSP The World of the Soul.jpg
			File:JSP drawing, Feb 1970.jpg
			</gallery>


	Here are examples of how Mr. Perkins used drawings to enliven letters to members.		Here are examples of how Mr. Perkins used drawings to enliven letters to members.

SysopJ: /* Writings */

2025-05-19T21:51:16Z

Writings

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:51, 19 May 2025
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	== Writings ==		== Writings ==
	[[File:Visual Meditations.png\|right\|220px\|thumb\|Cover of ''Visual Meditations'']]		[[File:Visual Meditations.png\|right\|220px\|thumb\|Cover of ''Visual Meditations'']]
	Writing is always an important activity of TSA presidents, and James Perkins was no exception. He wrote editorials for ''The American Theosophist'', numerous journal articles, and colorfully illustrated books. The [[Union Index of Theosophical Periodicals]] ~~has~~ over 400 articles ~~written~~ by ~~or about him~~ under the ~~name~~ [~~http~~://~~www.austheos~~.org.au/~~cgi-bin~~/~~ui-csvsearch.pl~~?~~search~~=Perkins James Perkins]. They include articles published in many prominent Theosophical journals: [[The Theosophist (periodical)\|''The Theosophist'']], [[The Light Bearer (periodical)\|''The Light Bearer'']], [[Theosophy in New Zealand (periodical)\|''Theosophy in New Zealand'']], and [[Le Lotus Bleu (periodical)\|''Le Lotus Bleu'']], among others. In addition to serving as editor of [[The American Theosophist (periodical)\|''The American Theosophist'']], he was founding editor in 1946 of [[Discovery (periodical)\|''Discovery'']]. During some of his time in Adyar, he edited ''The Theosophist'', and most notably the June 1973 issue commemorating the life of [[Nilakanta Sri Ram\|N. Sri Ram]].		Writing is always an important activity of TSA presidents, and James Perkins was no exception. He wrote editorials for ''The American Theosophist'', numerous journal articles, and colorfully illustrated books.

			The [[Union Index of Theosophical Periodicals]] lists:
			* '''[https://theosophicalsociety.org.au/union_index/entries?q=James+S.+Perkins&s=author over 400 articles by James S. Perkins]'''.
			* '''[https://theosophicalsociety.org.au/union_index/entries?q=JSP&s=author 21 articles under the initials JSP]'''.
			* '''[https://theosophicalsociety.org.au/union_index/entries?q=James+S.+Perkins&s=title 19 about James S. Perkins]'''.

			They include articles published in many prominent Theosophical journals: [[The Theosophist (periodical)\|''The Theosophist'']], [[The Light Bearer (periodical)\|''The Light Bearer'']], [[Theosophy in New Zealand (periodical)\|''Theosophy in New Zealand'']], and [[Le Lotus Bleu (periodical)\|''Le Lotus Bleu'']], among others. In addition to serving as editor of [[The American Theosophist (periodical)\|''The American Theosophist'']], he was founding editor in 1946 of [[Discovery (periodical)\|''Discovery'']]. During some of his time in Adyar, he edited ''The Theosophist'', and most notably the June 1973 issue commemorating the life of [[Nilakanta Sri Ram\|N. Sri Ram]].

	He also wrote these books, listed chronologically:		He also wrote these books, listed chronologically:

SysopJ: /* Writings */

2023-11-29T15:49:16Z

Writings

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:49, 29 November 2023
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	* '''''Keys to Wholeness of Being'''''. Adyar, Chennai, India: The Theosophical Publishing House, 1961. Originally printed in ''The Theosophist'', September and October 1960. Key Knowledge, Key Direction, Key Procedure, and Key Motion are the elements that help humans achieve wholeness.		* '''''Keys to Wholeness of Being'''''. Adyar, Chennai, India: The Theosophical Publishing House, 1961. Originally printed in ''The Theosophist'', September and October 1960. Key Knowledge, Key Direction, Key Procedure, and Key Motion are the elements that help humans achieve wholeness.

	* '''''Through Death to Rebirth'''''. First edition: Wheaton, Illinois: The Theosophical Publishing House, 1961. Quest Books edition published in 1973. Illustrated by the author with drawings and two colored plates. This book was written during Perkins' term as International Vice-President. The dynamic and symbolic illustrations help to guide the reader to better understanding of the process of death.		* '''''Through Death to Rebirth'''''. First edition: Wheaton, Illinois: The Theosophical Publishing House, 1961. Quest Books edition published in 1973. Illustrated by the author with drawings and two colored plates. This book was written during Perkins' term as International Vice-President. The dynamic and symbolic illustrations help to guide the reader to better understanding of the process of death. Can be borrowed through [https://archive.org/details/throughdeathtore00jame Internet Archive].

	* '''''Visual Meditations on the Universe'''''. Wheaton, Illinois: The Theosophical Publishing House, 1961. This was printed under the Quest Books imprint. This volume uses over 30 color plates created by the author intended to take the reader on a journey through creation and evolution according to Theosophical tradition. According to Susan Bullock Brown, Torre Taggart collaborated with her father in this work.		* '''''Visual Meditations on the Universe'''''. Wheaton, Illinois: The Theosophical Publishing House, 1961. This was printed under the Quest Books imprint. This volume uses over 30 color plates created by the author intended to take the reader on a journey through creation and evolution according to Theosophical tradition. According to Susan Bullock Brown, Torre Taggart collaborated with her father in this work.

SysopJ: /* Articles */

2023-11-17T13:39:03Z

Articles

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:39, 17 November 2023
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	==Online resources==		==Online resources==
	===Articles===		===Articles===
	* [~~http~~://www.theosophical.org/publications/quest-magazine/~~1318#~~ Reminscences of James Scudday Perkins] by Richard W. Brooks.		* [https://www.theosophical.org/publications/quest-magazine/reminscences-of-jame-scudday-perkins Reminscences of James Scudday Perkins] by Richard W. Brooks.
	* [https://theosophy.world/encyclopedia/perkins-james-scudday Perkins, James Scudday] in Theosophy World.		* [https://theosophy.world/encyclopedia/perkins-james-scudday Perkins, James Scudday] in Theosophy World.

SysopJ: /* Writings */

2023-03-13T18:51:10Z

Writings

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:51, 13 March 2023
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	== Writings ==		== Writings ==
			[[File:Visual Meditations.png\|right\|220px\|thumb\|Cover of ''Visual Meditations'']]
	Writing is always an important activity of TSA presidents, and James Perkins was no exception. He wrote editorials for ''The American Theosophist'', numerous journal articles, and colorfully illustrated books. The [[Union Index of Theosophical Periodicals]] has over 400 articles written by or about him under the name [http://www.austheos.org.au/cgi-bin/ui-csvsearch.pl?search=Perkins James Perkins]. They include articles published in many prominent Theosophical journals: [[The Theosophist (periodical)\|''The Theosophist'']], [[The Light Bearer (periodical)\|''The Light Bearer'']], [[Theosophy in New Zealand (periodical)\|''Theosophy in New Zealand'']], and [[Le Lotus Bleu (periodical)\|''Le Lotus Bleu'']], among others. In addition to serving as editor of [[The American Theosophist (periodical)\|''The American Theosophist'']], he was founding editor in 1946 of [[Discovery (periodical)\|''Discovery'']]. During some of his time in Adyar, he edited ''The Theosophist'', and most notably the June 1973 issue commemorating the life of [[Nilakanta Sri Ram\|N. Sri Ram]].		Writing is always an important activity of TSA presidents, and James Perkins was no exception. He wrote editorials for ''The American Theosophist'', numerous journal articles, and colorfully illustrated books. The [[Union Index of Theosophical Periodicals]] has over 400 articles written by or about him under the name [http://www.austheos.org.au/cgi-bin/ui-csvsearch.pl?search=Perkins James Perkins]. They include articles published in many prominent Theosophical journals: [[The Theosophist (periodical)\|''The Theosophist'']], [[The Light Bearer (periodical)\|''The Light Bearer'']], [[Theosophy in New Zealand (periodical)\|''Theosophy in New Zealand'']], and [[Le Lotus Bleu (periodical)\|''Le Lotus Bleu'']], among others. In addition to serving as editor of [[The American Theosophist (periodical)\|''The American Theosophist'']], he was founding editor in 1946 of [[Discovery (periodical)\|''Discovery'']]. During some of his time in Adyar, he edited ''The Theosophist'', and most notably the June 1973 issue commemorating the life of [[Nilakanta Sri Ram\|N. Sri Ram]].

SysopJ: /* Theosophical work */

2022-10-12T21:19:37Z

Theosophical work

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:19, 12 October 2022
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	[[File:Perkins color.jpg\|160px\|left\|thumb\|James S. Perkins. Image from TSA Archives.]]		[[File:Perkins color.jpg\|160px\|left\|thumb\|James S. Perkins. Image from TSA Archives.]]
	[[File:Perkins at Olcott 1947.jpg\|250px\|right\|thumb\|James and Kathrine Perkins at Olcott in 1947. Image from TSA Archives.]]		[[File:Perkins at Olcott 1947.jpg\|250px\|right\|thumb\|James and Kathrine Perkins at Olcott in 1947. Image from TSA Archives.]]
			[[File:Kathrine Perkins by Richard Chesrow.jpg\|right\|thumb\|Kathrine Perkins, by Richard Chesrow]]

	He was a founding member of a branch of the [[American Theosophical Society]] in Cincinnati, which formed on December 20, 1928. He was lodge president for six years, and also served five terms as president of the Ohio Theosophical Federation, which he helped to found.<ref>Joy Mills, "James S. Perkins, 1899-1991," ''The American Theosophist'' 79.2 (March-April), 6.</ref>		He was a founding member of a branch of the [[American Theosophical Society]] in Cincinnati, which formed on December 20, 1928. He was lodge president for six years, and also served five terms as president of the Ohio Theosophical Federation, which he helped to found.<ref>Joy Mills, "James S. Perkins, 1899-1991," ''The American Theosophist'' 79.2 (March-April), 6.</ref>

	James Perkins was elected to the Board of the [[Theosophical Society in America]] in 1936. Three years later he began the first of three terms as Vice-President in the administration of [[Sidney A. Cook]].		James Perkins was elected to the Board of the [[Theosophical Society in America]] in 1936. Three years later he began the first of three terms as Vice-President in the administration of [[Sidney A. Cook]].
	During all these years, Perkins frequently lectured for the Society all over the United States. His lectures addressed a wide range of topics of interest to the general public and Theosophists, but often touched on art and beauty. He was also very concerned with current affairs, such as "Men of the Atomic Age" in 1948, following the Hiroshima bombing, and "The Significance of Man's New Space Awareness" following the 1957 launch of the Russian satellite Sputnik. Dr. Richard Brooks, himself an outstanding lecturer, said that while Perkins' "prepared lectures ... were not particularly inspiring," when JSP spoke extemporaneously "he could bring the buddhic plane down to the physical and wrap it around your ears."<ref>Richard W. Brooks, “Reminiscences of James Scudday Perkins,” ''Quest'' 95.4 (July-August, 2007), 127-128.</ref>		During all these years, Perkins frequently lectured for the Society all over the United States. His lectures addressed a wide range of topics of interest to the general public and Theosophists, but often touched on art and beauty. He was also very concerned with current affairs, such as "Men of the Atomic Age" in 1948, following the Hiroshima bombing, and "The Significance of Man's New Space Awareness" following the 1957 launch of the Russian satellite Sputnik. Dr. Richard Brooks, himself an outstanding lecturer, said that while Perkins' "prepared lectures ... were not particularly inspiring," when JSP spoke extemporaneously "he could bring the buddhic plane down to the physical and wrap it around your ears."<ref>Richard W. Brooks, “Reminiscences of James Scudday Perkins,” ''Quest'' 95.4 (July-August, 2007), 127-128.</ref>

	== Years as President ==		== Years as President ==