William Kingsland: Difference between revisions
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'''William Kingsland''' ([[May 5]], 1855 - [[February 6]], | '''William Kingsland''' ([[May 5]], 1855 - [[February 6]], 1936) was an English engineer, scientist, author and [[Theosophist]]. He was President of the [[Blavatsky Lodge]] in London and was present in the meetings where [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky|H. P. Blavatsky]] answered members' questions on [[The Secret Doctrine (book)|''The Secret Doctrine'']]. | ||
== Biographical information == | == Biographical information == | ||
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== Theosophical involvement == | == Theosophical involvement == | ||
In the 1880's Mr. Kingsland got in touch with the Theosophical teachings through the writings of [[Alfred Percy Sinnett|A. P. Sinnett]] and [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky|H. P. Blavatsky]]. But the turning point in his life took place on [[June 2]], 1888, at the age of 33, when he visited Mme. Blavatsky who was living in London and was gathering around a group of students. From that day on he became an important worker and on January, 1889, was elected as President of the [[Blavatsky Lodge]]. It was during this time that a number of meetings were held where members asked Mme. Blavatsky questions about the concepts taught in her newly published book, [[The Secret Doctrine (book)|''The Secret Doctrine'']]. | In the 1880's Mr. Kingsland got in touch with the Theosophical teachings through the writings of [[Alfred Percy Sinnett|A. P. Sinnett]] and [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky|H. P. Blavatsky]]. But the turning point in his life took place on [[June 2]], 1888, at the age of 33, when he visited Mme. Blavatsky who was living in London and was gathering around a group of students. Recalling this day he wrote: | ||
<blockquote>I had the good fortune to meet her for the first time on the 2nd June, 1888, when she was living at No. 17, Lansdowne Road, Notting Hill, and had gathered round her a considerable number of devoted workers. This visit was not, however, my first introduction to [[Theosophy]], for I had for some two months previously been attending Mr. A. P. Sinnett’s weekly gatherings at his own house; I had read his [[The Occult World (book)|''Occult World'']] and [[Esoteric Buddhism (book)|''Esoteric Buddhism'']], and the early numbers of [[The Theosophist (periodical)|''The Theosophist'']] published in India. This literature opened out for me a new world of thought and endeavor. Theosophy struck a chord to which my inmost nature immediately responded.<ref>Daniel H. Caldwell, ''The Esoteric World of Madame Blavatsky'' (Wheaton, Ill., Quest Books, 2001), 341</ref></blockquote> | |||
From that day on he became an important worker and on January, 1889, was elected as President of the [[Blavatsky Lodge]]. It was during this time that a number of meetings were held where members asked Mme. Blavatsky questions about the concepts taught in her newly published book, [[The Secret Doctrine (book)|''The Secret Doctrine'']]. | |||
During the split of 1895 he stayed with the [[Theosophical Society (Adyar)]] but in 1909, he resigned in disagreement with the policies of [[Annie Besant]]. | During the split of 1895 he stayed with the [[Theosophical Society (Adyar)]] but in 1909, he resigned in disagreement with the policies of [[Annie Besant]]. | ||
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Mr. Kingsland wrote books in a wide range of subjects. His first works were published in 1891 and finished writing his last one by the end of 1935, a few months before his death. | Mr. Kingsland wrote books in a wide range of subjects. His first works were published in 1891 and finished writing his last one by the end of 1935, a few months before his death. | ||
==Online resources== | |||
===Books=== | |||
*[http://hpb.narod.ru/Christos.htm# Christos: The Religion of the Future] by William Kingsland | |||
*[http://blavatskyarchives.com/theosophypdfs/kingsland_the_gnosis_or_ancient_wisdom_in_the_christian_scriptures.pdf# The Gnosis or Ancient Wisdom in the Christian Scriptures] by William Kingsland | |||
*[http://www.universaltheosophy.com/pdf-library/The_Real_H.P._Blavatsky.pdf# The Real H. P. Blavatsky] by William Kingsland | |||
== Notes == | == Notes == | ||
Revision as of 14:51, 25 June 2014
William Kingsland (May 5, 1855 - February 6, 1936) was an English engineer, scientist, author and Theosophist. He was President of the Blavatsky Lodge in London and was present in the meetings where H. P. Blavatsky answered members' questions on The Secret Doctrine.
Biographical information
William Kingsland was born at Devizes in Wiltshire, on May 5, 1855. In 1879 he entered the School of Submarine Telegraphy in London. After finishing school he worked for the newly established Telephone Company in London and later for the Brush Electric Light Company.
On February 4, 1885, Mr. Kingsland married Phoebe Edmonstone, who died 41 years later, in 1926.
In 1888 he became involved with the Theosophical movement until 1909, when he resigned from the Theosophical Society (Adyar).
In 1911 he took up his electrical work until the First World War, when he joined a Volunteer Regiment to offer his knowledge in signalling. In December 1916 he was given a commission as Lieutenant. He continued his work until March 1919.
In the 1920's he became active again in the Theosophical movement until his death at Ryde, on February 6, 1936, at the age of 81 after an illness of two months.[1]
Theosophical involvement
In the 1880's Mr. Kingsland got in touch with the Theosophical teachings through the writings of A. P. Sinnett and H. P. Blavatsky. But the turning point in his life took place on June 2, 1888, at the age of 33, when he visited Mme. Blavatsky who was living in London and was gathering around a group of students. Recalling this day he wrote:
I had the good fortune to meet her for the first time on the 2nd June, 1888, when she was living at No. 17, Lansdowne Road, Notting Hill, and had gathered round her a considerable number of devoted workers. This visit was not, however, my first introduction to Theosophy, for I had for some two months previously been attending Mr. A. P. Sinnett’s weekly gatherings at his own house; I had read his Occult World and Esoteric Buddhism, and the early numbers of The Theosophist published in India. This literature opened out for me a new world of thought and endeavor. Theosophy struck a chord to which my inmost nature immediately responded.[2]
From that day on he became an important worker and on January, 1889, was elected as President of the Blavatsky Lodge. It was during this time that a number of meetings were held where members asked Mme. Blavatsky questions about the concepts taught in her newly published book, The Secret Doctrine.
During the split of 1895 he stayed with the Theosophical Society (Adyar) but in 1909, he resigned in disagreement with the policies of Annie Besant.
He continued his career independently as an author until in the 1920's he became active again in the Theosophical movement. On November 13, 1923, he formed with Alice L. Cleather and others the Blavatsky Association to perpetuate the memory of H.P.B. and defend her name and work whenever possible.[3]
Writings
Mr. Kingsland wrote books in a wide range of subjects. His first works were published in 1891 and finished writing his last one by the end of 1935, a few months before his death.
Online resources
Books
- Christos: The Religion of the Future by William Kingsland
- The Gnosis or Ancient Wisdom in the Christian Scriptures by William Kingsland
- The Real H. P. Blavatsky by William Kingsland
Notes
- ↑ Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Collected Writings vol. X (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1988), 423.
- ↑ Daniel H. Caldwell, The Esoteric World of Madame Blavatsky (Wheaton, Ill., Quest Books, 2001), 341
- ↑ Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Collected Writings vol. X (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1988), 422.