H. D. Monachesi: Difference between revisions
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'''Herbert D. Monachesi''' (ca. 1854 - [[February 27]], 1900) was a military officer and New York journalist and one of the [[Founders]] of the [[Theosophical Society]]. He died in Manhattan County, NY at 46 years old.<ref>See [http://www.ancientfaces.com/person/herbert-d-monachesi/111512272 Herbert D Monachesi] at AncientFaces.com</ref> | '''Herbert D. Monachesi''' (ca. 1854 - [[February 27]], 1900) was a military officer and New York journalist and one of the [[Founders]] of the [[Theosophical Society]]. He died in Manhattan County, NY at 46 years old.<ref>See [http://www.ancientfaces.com/person/herbert-d-monachesi/111512272 Herbert D Monachesi] at AncientFaces.com</ref> | ||
According to [[Josephine Ransom]], | == Personal life and military service == | ||
In 1889, at the age of 40, he was a "ship's writer" or clerk on the sloop USS ''Kearsarge'', a ship that had seen service in the American Civil War, and then briefly on the ''Jamestown''. His work dealt with the many record-keeping tasks of the ship, such as drawing up the watch and station bill (ship's duty roster), various log books, and captain's correspondence. His naval "rate" or grade was "Lds." or "Landsman," a low rank.<ref>Chelsea, Massachusetts, Navy General Register of Patients, 1872-1917. May 17, 1889.</ref> Monachesi manifested symptoms of "epilepsia" with confusion, headache, and vision problems. In work "exhibited singular errors, exciting suspicion as to the integrity of his mind. He is believed to be an alcoholic subject, but with no direct evidence of such condition." Following a medical examination, he was transferred on May 14 to the naval hospital at Chelsea, Massachusetts for treatment and discharge from service.<ref>1889 U.S., Naval Hospital Tickets and Case Papers, 1825-1889. May 14, 1889.</ref> | |||
== Theosophical Society involvement == | |||
According to Theosophical historian [[Josephine Ransom]], | |||
<blockquote> | <blockquote> | ||
HERBERT D. MONACHESI: a newspaper reporter. An Italian by birth and of very psychical temperament. In ''The Sunday Mercury'', New York, 1875, appeared an article by him on an intended Buddhist Mission to America, to make known Eastern spiritual knowledge. On the margin of this cutting Scrapbook I, H. P. B | HERBERT D. MONACHESI: a newspaper reporter. An Italian by birth and of very psychical temperament. In ''The Sunday Mercury'', New York, 1875, appeared an article by him on an intended Buddhist Mission to America, to make known Eastern spiritual knowledge. On the margin of this cutting Scrapbook I, [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky|H. P. B.]] wrote that his article outlined the [[The Original Programme of The Theosophical Society (book)|original programme of The Theosophical Society]], and that the time had come when the West should know more of the wisdom, philosophy and achievements of India. Monachesi dropped out.<ref>Josephine Ransom, ''A Short History of the Theosophical Society'' (Adyar, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1938), 113.</ref> | ||
</blockquote> | </blockquote> | ||
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[[Category:Military|Monachesi, H. D.]] | [[Category:Military|Monachesi, H. D.]] | ||
[[Category:Journalists|Monachesi, H. D.]] | [[Category:Journalists|Monachesi, H. D.]] | ||
[[Category:Nationality | [[Category:Nationality American|Monachesi, H. D.]] | ||
[[Category:Associates of HPB|Monachesi, H. D.]] | [[Category:Associates of HPB|Monachesi, H. D.]] | ||
[[Category:People|Monachesi, H. D.]] | [[Category:People|Monachesi, H. D.]] | ||
Revision as of 13:10, 16 May 2020
Herbert D. Monachesi (ca. 1854 - February 27, 1900) was a military officer and New York journalist and one of the Founders of the Theosophical Society. He died in Manhattan County, NY at 46 years old.[1]
Personal life and military service
In 1889, at the age of 40, he was a "ship's writer" or clerk on the sloop USS Kearsarge, a ship that had seen service in the American Civil War, and then briefly on the Jamestown. His work dealt with the many record-keeping tasks of the ship, such as drawing up the watch and station bill (ship's duty roster), various log books, and captain's correspondence. His naval "rate" or grade was "Lds." or "Landsman," a low rank.[2] Monachesi manifested symptoms of "epilepsia" with confusion, headache, and vision problems. In work "exhibited singular errors, exciting suspicion as to the integrity of his mind. He is believed to be an alcoholic subject, but with no direct evidence of such condition." Following a medical examination, he was transferred on May 14 to the naval hospital at Chelsea, Massachusetts for treatment and discharge from service.[3]
Theosophical Society involvement
According to Theosophical historian Josephine Ransom,
HERBERT D. MONACHESI: a newspaper reporter. An Italian by birth and of very psychical temperament. In The Sunday Mercury, New York, 1875, appeared an article by him on an intended Buddhist Mission to America, to make known Eastern spiritual knowledge. On the margin of this cutting Scrapbook I, H. P. B. wrote that his article outlined the original programme of The Theosophical Society, and that the time had come when the West should know more of the wisdom, philosophy and achievements of India. Monachesi dropped out.[4]
In 1876 he edited a book with Albert B. Yohn entitled The Stationers' Handbook. A Practical Business Guide, with articles intended to help the book selling business.[5]
The Supplement to The Theosophist for August 1882 (page 6) reports the following:
Mr. Herbert D. Monachesi, F.T.S., an officer of the United States' War-ship "Galena" wrote on June 20th from Alexandria, that he had been enjoying a cruise along both shores of the Mediterranean and down the west coast of Africa, as far as the Equator. The "Galena" was at Alexandria to look after American interests. "Many of these refuges" writes he--referring to the foreigners who had fled from Alexandria--"came on board of us for protection, among them, five American missionaries with their families...."
Notes
- ↑ See Herbert D Monachesi at AncientFaces.com
- ↑ Chelsea, Massachusetts, Navy General Register of Patients, 1872-1917. May 17, 1889.
- ↑ 1889 U.S., Naval Hospital Tickets and Case Papers, 1825-1889. May 14, 1889.
- ↑ Josephine Ransom, A Short History of the Theosophical Society (Adyar, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1938), 113.
- ↑ See here an advertisement of the book.