Wilhelm Hübbe-Schleiden: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Wilhelm Hübbe-Schleiden.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Wilhelm Hübbe-Schleiden]] | [[File:Wilhelm Hübbe-Schleiden.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Wilhelm Hübbe-Schleiden]] | ||
'''Dr. Wilhelm Hübbe-Schleiden''' ( | '''Dr. Wilhelm Hübbe-Schleiden''' ([[October 20]], 1846 - Göttingen, [[May 17]], 1916) was a German scholar greatly interested in geographical exploration and in German colonial politics. In 1884 he became the president of the [[Germania Theosophical Society]] and was the founder and editor of the Theosophical periodical [[The Sphinx (periodical)|''The Sphinx'']]. | ||
== | == Early life, education, and professional career == | ||
Wilhelm Hübbe | Wilhelm Hübbe was born in Hamburg on [[October 20]], 1846. He later appended the name "Schleiden" in honor of his maternal uncle Matthew Schleiden, a botanist from Münich. Wilhelm was the youngest of five sons of Dr. Hübbe, who was prominent in the legal world. His grandfather was an eloquent and broad-minded preacher. "Willi" thrived in his family life and at the local Gymnasium, then spent time at universities of Göttingen, Heidelberg, Münich, and Leipzig studying jurisprudence and political economy to take a Doctor of Laws degree.<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''The Secret Doctrine'' vol. I, (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), [12].</ref> | ||
<blockquote> | |||
After a brief term of practice as an Attorney in his native town he, however, accepted the offer of a post in connexion with the German Consulate General in London [as attaché during 1870-71], subsequently entering one of the great London Banking Houses, in order to acquire a thorough knowledge of business routine... | |||
After a short period spent in Spain, he returned to England, embarking thence with a British friend on an expedition to the West Coast of Africa, where by their mutual efforts a business undertaking was founded at Gaboon.<ref>M. G., "Theosophical Worthies: Wilhelm Hübbe-Schleiden," ''The Theosophist'' 32.7 (April, 1911), 115-119.</ref> | |||
</blockquote> | |||
Business activities did not interest the young man as much as the '''theory of colonial administration''', so he returned to Hamburg to write in support of German colonization. "So far-seeing was this pioneer of a new movement that his books ''Ethiopia'' (written in 1878), and ''Oversea Politics'' (1880), still [in 1911] command respectful attention, and are indeed deemed classics in this particular branch of German literature."<ref>M. G., "Theosophical Worthies: Wilhelm Hübbe-Schleiden," ''The Theosophist'' 32.7 (April, 1911), 115-119.</ref> | |||
== Theosophical involvement == | == Theosophical involvement == | ||
Dr. Hübbe-Schleiden was greatly interested in [[Occultism]] | Dr. Hübbe-Schleiden was greatly interested in [[Occultism]]. In the summer of 1884 he received from his friend Herr von Hoffmann the newly translated German edition of [[Esoteric Buddhism (book)|''Esoteric Buddhism'']]. Hübbe-Schleiden read the volume all night and soon afterward contacted [[Henry Steel Olcott|Colonel Olcott]]. | ||
<blockquote> | |||
Ascertaining from that gentleman that [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky|Madame Blavatsky]] was then in Germany at[[Elberfeld, Germany|Elberfeld]] with [[Mary Gebhard|Frau Gebhard]], one of her earliest German adherents, he, with characteristic promptitude, set out for that town in search of the Founder of the Movement. | |||
I was here, then, that on the 27th of July, 1884, the first German Branch of the Theosophical Society, styled "Theosophische Societät Germania" was founded in the presence of H. P. Blavatsky, [[Albert Percy Sinnett|Mr. A. P. Sinnett]], and other members then in Germany, having for its President Dr. Hübbe-Schleiden, and for its Acting Secretary [[German Family|Herr Franz Gebhard]].ref>M. G., "Theosophical Worthies: Wilhelm Hübbe-Schleiden," ''The Theosophist'' 32.7 (April, 1911), 115-119.</ref> | |||
</blockquote> | |||
His Theosophical activities took primarily a literary form, establishing a theosophical magazine called [[The Sphinx (periodical)|''The Sphinx'']]. His doctorate was in law and political economy. During the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871, he served as an attaché to the German Consulate General in London.<ref>Geoffrey Barborka, ''The Mahatmas and Their Letters'' (Adyar, Madras, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1973), 299.</ref> | |||
Dr. Hübbe-Schleiden, like [[William Quan Judge]], received two unusual letters from the [[Mahatma|Mahatmas]] [[Koot Hoomi]] and [[Morya]], which were called "certificates." Each document stated clearly that [[The Secret Doctrine (book)|''The Secret Doctrine'']] was a joint production of the Mahatmas with [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky]]. He found them, evidently precipitated, in his copy of [[Richard Hodgson|Richard Hodgson's]] S. P. R. Report. [[Geoffrey A. Barborka]] in his extensive analysis of the unusual style of handwriting of the letters, stated: "The point is here made that a [[Precipitation|precipitated]] message may be produced by one who knows how to do so in ''any desired style of writing!''<ref>Geoffrey Barborka, ''The Mahatmas and Their Letters'' (Adyar, Madras, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1973), 302.</ref> | Dr. Hübbe-Schleiden, like [[William Quan Judge]], received two unusual letters from the [[Mahatma|Mahatmas]] [[Koot Hoomi]] and [[Morya]], which were called "certificates." Each document stated clearly that [[The Secret Doctrine (book)|''The Secret Doctrine'']] was a joint production of the Mahatmas with [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky]]. He found them, evidently precipitated, in his copy of [[Richard Hodgson|Richard Hodgson's]] S. P. R. Report. [[Geoffrey A. Barborka]] in his extensive analysis of the unusual style of handwriting of the letters, stated: "The point is here made that a [[Precipitation|precipitated]] message may be produced by one who knows how to do so in ''any desired style of writing!''<ref>Geoffrey Barborka, ''The Mahatmas and Their Letters'' (Adyar, Madras, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1973), 302.</ref> | ||
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Dr. Hübbe-Schleiden was mentioned in [[Mahatma Letter No. 132]] and [[Mahatma Letter No. 139]], in which [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky]] corrected a misunderstanding of [[Alfred Percy Sinnett|A. P. Sinnett]] about what she had said to the doctor concerning [[Chains and Rounds]]. | Dr. Hübbe-Schleiden was mentioned in [[Mahatma Letter No. 132]] and [[Mahatma Letter No. 139]], in which [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky]] corrected a misunderstanding of [[Alfred Percy Sinnett|A. P. Sinnett]] about what she had said to the doctor concerning [[Chains and Rounds]]. | ||
== Later days and death == | |||
Dr. Hübbe-Schleiden died in Göttingen, Germany on [[May 17]], 1916. | |||
== Writings == | == Writings == | ||
=== Writings on political topics === | |||
Dr. Hübbe-Schleiden wrote several books: | Dr. Hübbe-Schleiden wrote several books: | ||
* ''Ethiopien Studien Uber West-Afrika'' (1879) | * ''Ethiopien Studien Uber West-Afrika'' (1879) | ||
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* ''Indien Und Die Indier: Kulturell, Wirthschaftlich Und Politisch Betrachtet'' | * ''Indien Und Die Indier: Kulturell, Wirthschaftlich Und Politisch Betrachtet'' | ||
* ''Englands Ende In Der Schlacht Bei Dorking'' | * ''Englands Ende In Der Schlacht Bei Dorking'' | ||
=== Writings on Theosophical topics === | |||
In addition to his work as the founder and editor of the German-language Theosophical periodical [[The Sphinx (periodical)|''The Sphinx'']], Hübbe-Schleiden wrote in English. The [[Union Index of Theosophical Periodicals]] lists 31 [http://www.austheos.org.au/cgi-bin/ui-csvsearch.pl?search=Hubbe+Schleiden&method=all articles by or about Hübbe-Schleiden]. | |||
== Additional resources == | == Additional resources == | ||
Revision as of 19:19, 24 December 2016
Dr. Wilhelm Hübbe-Schleiden (October 20, 1846 - Göttingen, May 17, 1916) was a German scholar greatly interested in geographical exploration and in German colonial politics. In 1884 he became the president of the Germania Theosophical Society and was the founder and editor of the Theosophical periodical The Sphinx.
Early life, education, and professional career
Wilhelm Hübbe was born in Hamburg on October 20, 1846. He later appended the name "Schleiden" in honor of his maternal uncle Matthew Schleiden, a botanist from Münich. Wilhelm was the youngest of five sons of Dr. Hübbe, who was prominent in the legal world. His grandfather was an eloquent and broad-minded preacher. "Willi" thrived in his family life and at the local Gymnasium, then spent time at universities of Göttingen, Heidelberg, Münich, and Leipzig studying jurisprudence and political economy to take a Doctor of Laws degree.[1]
After a brief term of practice as an Attorney in his native town he, however, accepted the offer of a post in connexion with the German Consulate General in London [as attaché during 1870-71], subsequently entering one of the great London Banking Houses, in order to acquire a thorough knowledge of business routine...
After a short period spent in Spain, he returned to England, embarking thence with a British friend on an expedition to the West Coast of Africa, where by their mutual efforts a business undertaking was founded at Gaboon.[2]
Business activities did not interest the young man as much as the theory of colonial administration, so he returned to Hamburg to write in support of German colonization. "So far-seeing was this pioneer of a new movement that his books Ethiopia (written in 1878), and Oversea Politics (1880), still [in 1911] command respectful attention, and are indeed deemed classics in this particular branch of German literature."[3]
Theosophical involvement
Dr. Hübbe-Schleiden was greatly interested in Occultism. In the summer of 1884 he received from his friend Herr von Hoffmann the newly translated German edition of Esoteric Buddhism. Hübbe-Schleiden read the volume all night and soon afterward contacted Colonel Olcott.
Ascertaining from that gentleman that Madame Blavatsky was then in Germany atElberfeld with Frau Gebhard, one of her earliest German adherents, he, with characteristic promptitude, set out for that town in search of the Founder of the Movement.
I was here, then, that on the 27th of July, 1884, the first German Branch of the Theosophical Society, styled "Theosophische Societät Germania" was founded in the presence of H. P. Blavatsky, Mr. A. P. Sinnett, and other members then in Germany, having for its President Dr. Hübbe-Schleiden, and for its Acting Secretary Herr Franz Gebhard.ref>M. G., "Theosophical Worthies: Wilhelm Hübbe-Schleiden," The Theosophist 32.7 (April, 1911), 115-119.</ref>
His Theosophical activities took primarily a literary form, establishing a theosophical magazine called The Sphinx. His doctorate was in law and political economy. During the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871, he served as an attaché to the German Consulate General in London.[4]
Dr. Hübbe-Schleiden, like William Quan Judge, received two unusual letters from the Mahatmas Koot Hoomi and Morya, which were called "certificates." Each document stated clearly that The Secret Doctrine was a joint production of the Mahatmas with Helena Petrovna Blavatsky. He found them, evidently precipitated, in his copy of Richard Hodgson's S. P. R. Report. Geoffrey A. Barborka in his extensive analysis of the unusual style of handwriting of the letters, stated: "The point is here made that a precipitated message may be produced by one who knows how to do so in any desired style of writing![5]
Hübbe-Schleiden was instructed not to publish the letters, but he showed them to W. Q. Judge on July 21, 1892. Mr. Judge received permission to print his copies two years after Blavatsky's death, and he did so in The Path, in 1893.[6]
Dr. Hübbe-Schleiden was mentioned in Mahatma Letter No. 132 and Mahatma Letter No. 139, in which Helena Petrovna Blavatsky corrected a misunderstanding of A. P. Sinnett about what she had said to the doctor concerning Chains and Rounds.
Later days and death
Dr. Hübbe-Schleiden died in Göttingen, Germany on May 17, 1916.
Writings
Writings on political topics
Dr. Hübbe-Schleiden wrote several books:
- Ethiopien Studien Uber West-Afrika (1879)
- Uberseeische Politik 1881-1883 (1883)
- Das Dasein ALS Lust, Leid Und Liebe (1891)
- Indien Und Die Indier: Kulturell, Wirthschaftlich Und Politisch Betrachtet
- Englands Ende In Der Schlacht Bei Dorking
Writings on Theosophical topics
In addition to his work as the founder and editor of the German-language Theosophical periodical The Sphinx, Hübbe-Schleiden wrote in English. The Union Index of Theosophical Periodicals lists 31 articles by or about Hübbe-Schleiden.
Additional resources
- Wilhelm Hübbe-Schleiden in AnthroWiki, written in German.
Archival materials
Dr. Hübbe-Schleiden's papers and books were deposited at the Library of Göttingen University.
Articles
- Wilhelm Hubbe-Schleiden at Theosopedia
- Dr. Hubbe Schleiden on a Letter from the Mahatma K.H. published by Blavatsky Study Center
- Two Letters from H.P. Blavatsky to Dr. Wilhelm Hübbe-Schleiden published by Blavatsky Study Center
- Letter from Master K.H. at KatinkaHesselink.net
Notes
- ↑ Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, The Secret Doctrine vol. I, (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), [12].
- ↑ M. G., "Theosophical Worthies: Wilhelm Hübbe-Schleiden," The Theosophist 32.7 (April, 1911), 115-119.
- ↑ M. G., "Theosophical Worthies: Wilhelm Hübbe-Schleiden," The Theosophist 32.7 (April, 1911), 115-119.
- ↑ Geoffrey Barborka, The Mahatmas and Their Letters (Adyar, Madras, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1973), 299.
- ↑ Geoffrey Barborka, The Mahatmas and Their Letters (Adyar, Madras, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1973), 302.
- ↑ The documents were published in The Path, vol. VIII, April, 1893.