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'''ARTICLE UNDER CONSTRUCTION'''
[[File:Laytons flier 1958.jpg|350px|right|thumb|Publicity leaflet for a lecture tour, 1958]]
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'''Felix Layton''' was an English-American lecturer and educator who was active in the [[Theosophical Society in America]], along with his wife [[Eunice Layton|Eunice]].
'''ARTICLE UNDER CONSTRUCTION'''
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[[File:Laytons flier 1958.jpg|350px|right|thumb|Publicity leaflet for a lecture tour, 1958. Image from TSA Archives.]]
== Personal life ==
'''Felix Layton''' was a lecturer and educator who was active in the [[Theosophical Society in America]]. He often toured with his wife [[Eunice Layton|Eunice]]. He was born on [[September 10]], 1910 and died on [[September 21]], 1991. On March 17, 1952, he became a naturalized citizen of the United States.
Felix Layton was born on [[September 10]], 1910 in Paignton, Devon, England, and raised in a family of Theosophists.<ref>Felix Layton in 1910 England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915.</ref> His parents were Wilfred Layton, an organist and music teacher, and his wife Ethel. The couple had two daughters before their son was born.<ref>1911 Census of England and Wales.</ref> Felix attended St. Christopher’s School, a Theosophical institution, where he first became acquainted with his mentor, [[Geoffrey Hodson]].<ref>Footnote to Felix Layton's article "In Memoriam: Geoffrey Hodson, 1886-1983" ''The American Theosophist 71 no.3 (March, 1983): 69.</ref> In the 1920s, Felix and his mother emigrated to Canada, and from there went to Michigan, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Michigan.<ref>"Layton, Felix" ''The International Theosophical Year Book 1938''(Adyar, Madras, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1938), 194.</ref>


== Early years ==
During World War II he served in the Royal Corps of Signals, and then the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, ending with the rank of major.<ref>1941 UK, London Gazettes World War II Military Notices, 1939-1945.</ref><ref>1944 UK, London Gazettes World War II Military Notices, 1939-1945.</ref><ref>Ledger Sheets 4. Membership records. Theosophical Society in America Archives.</ref> He then returned to the U.S. in 1947 and taught science in high schools in  San Francisco area for several years, including a position as teacher and house head at the Montezuma Boys School in Santa Clara.<ref>1950 United States Federal Census.</ref> Layton was married to Eunice Shipp on October 21, 1950 at Alameda.<ref>1950 California, U.S., Marriage Index, 1949-1959.</ref> They had probably met at the Pacific Lodge of the Theosophical Society, where both were members in the later 1940s.<ref>Ledger Sheets 4. Membership records. Theosophical Society in America Archives.</ref> On March 17, 1952, he became a naturalized citizen of the United States.<ref>1952 U.S., Naturalization Record Indexes, 1791-1992.</ref>


On [[September 21]], 1991, Felix Layton passed away in Ojai, California, after a brief illness. A requiem mass was held at the Church of Our Lady and All Angels in Ojai on September 24.<ref>"Felix Layton, 1910-1991," ''The American Theosophist'' 79.6 (November-December 1991), 3-4.</ref>


== Theosophical Society work ==
== Theosophical Society work ==


== Liberal Catholic Church ==
Felix Layton was admitted as a member of the [[Theosophical Society in America]] on September 15, 1930, joining the Flint, Michigan lodge. Previously he and his mother Ethel Laytons had been member since about 1928 in the Canadian Section.<ref>Felix Layton membership record. Ledger Cards microfilm reel 5. Theosophical Society in America Archives.</ref><ref>"Layton, Felix" ''The International Theosophical year Book 1938'' (Adyar, Madras, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1938), 194.</ref>
He was president of Young Theosophists of America from 1933-1934.


== Freemasonry ==
"Responding to a request from International President [[George S. Arundale|George Arundale]] for workers, as a young man he sailed for India. He spent seven years in Adyar teaching and later as headmaster of the Besant School."<ref>"Felix Layton, 1910-1991" ''The American Theosophist'' 79 no.6 (November, 1991): 3-4.</ref> [[Radha Burnier]] was one of his students. On April 23, 1936 he transferred his membership to India, where he lived at the [[Adyar (campus)|Adyar headquarters]]. He was Joint General Secretary of the World Federation of Young Theosophists from 1936-1937. After completing his wartime service in the British Army, he returned to the United States, and on November 13, 1947 transferred his TS membership back to the [[Theosophical Society in America|American Section]].<ref>Felix Layton membership record. Ledger Sheets microfilm reel 4. Theosophical Society in America Archives.</ref><ref>"Layton, Felix" ''The International Theosophical year Book 1938'' (Adyar, Madras, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1938), 194.</ref> Around that time, he and Eunice Shipp were both members of the Pacific Lodge in San Francisco, and they got married. Felix was elected president of the Northern California Theosophical Federation.<ref>"Northern California Federation" ''The American Theosophist''  41 no.11 (November, 1953): 224-225.</ref>


== Later years ==
The Laytons served for for several years on the staff of the [[Olcott (campus)|national headquarters]] in the Department of Information, in Wheaton, Illinois. From 1954 to 1959, they travelled throughout the United States, lecturing and conducting classes on Theosophy in a rigorous schedule. During their Spotlight tour of Florida in the first three months of 1957, for example, they visited eight cities, giving 35 lectures and attending 9 meetings. In 1959, the Laytons began a world tour that took them to the [[Adyar (campus)|international headquarters]] of the Society where they attended the School of the Wisdom, later serving as Assistant Directors of Study at that School.<ref>Anonymous, "The Theosophical Society Presents Eunice Layton" publicity flyer. Leenhouts Papers. Theosophical Society in America Archives.</ref> Felix Layton was elected as vice president of the Theosophical Society in America in 1966, serving until 1972 in the administration of [[Joy Mills]]. Their lecture schedule took them to New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, Malaya and Ceylon, India, and Pakistan, plus a six-month lecture tour in Europe. They were popular lecturers, as mentioned in [[Theosophy in Australia (periodical)|''Theosophy in Australia'']]:
 
Laytons retired from lecturing to live in San Francisco. Over 50 members of California lodges united to hold a welcome party at the home of Mr. and Mrs. George Barthholemew.<ref>"New and Notes: Welcome to the Laytons," ''The American Theosophist'' 60.10 (October, 1972), 273.</ref>
 
 
According to an article written in 1991,  
<blockquote>
<blockquote>
On September 21, at 1 a.m., Felix Layton passed away in Ojai, California, after a brief illness. Mr. Layton had been vice-president and resident head of [[Krotona Institute of Theosophy]] since 1986. He had served the [[Theosophical Society (Adyar)|Theosophical Society]] in many capacities during his lifetime, and was known and loved by members throughout the world.
They were well-known to Australian audiences, having toured the Section on several occasions as guest speakers. At Convention, when the talks and workshops were over for the day, members relaxed and enjoyed the Square and Scottish Dancing, Eunice led so efficiently in the evening.
<ref>"Felix Layton," ''Theosophy in Australia'' 55.4 (December 1991), 94.</ref>
</blockquote>


Felix was born September 10, 1910 and raised in a theosophical family in England. Responding to a request from International President [[George S. Arundale|George Arundale]] for workers, as a young man he sailed for India. He spent seven years in Adyar teaching ([[Radha Burnier]] was one of his students) and later as headmaster of the Besant School.
In 1972 the couple took a break from their travels, returning to San Francisco, with a big farewell party from the staff of the Wheaton, Illinois headquarters, and when they arrived at the West coast, over 50 members of California lodges united to hold a welcome party at the home of Mr. and Mrs. George Bartholemew.<ref>"New and Notes: Welcome to the Laytons," ''The American Theosophist'' 60.10 (October, 1972), 273.</ref>  In 1977, they moved to [[Krotona Institute of Theosophy]] in Ojai, California, and it became their base in Theosophical work. They were co-directors of the [[Krotona School of Theosophy]] from 1977-1979. From 1986 until his death in 1991, Felix was vice-president and resident head of the Institute, and Eunice supported him in this work.


He then returned to the U.S. and taught science in high schools in the San Francisco area for several years. He soon found himself working full time for the Society again, and for the next 20 years, he and his wife, Eunice, traveled and lectured throughout the U.S. and around the world. As part of the American Section’s regional expansion program, they spoke to both public and theosophical audiences. During this time they returned to Adyar to direct the School of the Wisdom. Felix served as national vice-president of the American Section from 1966 to 1972. The Laytons came to Krotona in 1977 and were co-directors of the Krotona School for three years. In 1986 he was appointed resident head of the Krotona Institute by Radha Burnier.
== Liberal Catholic Church ==


The Laytons’ public talks have been compiled in the Quest book, ''Life, Your Great Adventure''.
Felix Layton was a priest in the [[Liberal Catholic Church]].<ref>"Felix Layton, 1910-1991" ''The American Theosophist'' 79 no.6 (November, 1991): 3-4.</ref>


Felix was a 32nd degree [[Co-Freemasonry|Co-Mason]], American Federation of Human Rights, and was also a priest in the [[Liberal Catholic Church]].
== Freemasonry ==
He is perhaps best remembered by those who knew him for his kind and gentle nature. He was deeply committed to the animal welfare movement, and had a special interest in healing. He had a fondness for the book [[Light on the Path (book)|''Light on the Path'']], and inspired many with his dedication to making Theosophy real in his life.
 
A requiem mass was held at the Church of Our Lady and All Angels in Ojai on September 24.<ref>"Felix Layton, 1910-1991," ''The American Theosophist'' 79.6 (November-December 1991), 3-4.</ref>
</blockquote>
 
[[Theosophy in Australia (periodical)|''Theosophy in Australia'']] reported,
<blockquote>
Much of his energies were given in the area of teaching, first as a teacher in Adyar where he spent some time and, later, in the United States where he and his wife, Eunice, are especially remembered for the arduous spotlighting tours they undertook, organising one-night stands in different cities where there was no theosophical lodge or group.


They were well-known to Australian audiences, having toured the Section on several occasions as guest speakers. At Convention, when the talks and workshops were over for the day, members relaxed and enjoyed the Square and Scottish Dancing, Eunice led so efficiently in the evening.
According to his obituary, Mr. Layton was a 32nd degree Co-Mason, American Federation of Human Rights.<ref>"Felix Layton, 1910-1991" ''The American Theosophist'' 79 no.6 (November, 1991): 3-4.</ref>
<ref>"Felix Layton," ''Theosophy in Australia'' 55.4 (December 1991), 94.</ref>
</blockquote>


[[File:Laytons Life Your Great Adventure.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Book cover]]
[[File:Laytons Life Your Great Adventure.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Book cover]]
== Writings ==
== Writings ==
* '''''Some Basic Concepts of Theosophy'''''. Adyar, Madras, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1960. Coauthor Eunice Layton, with foreword by Geoffrey Hodson. Based on a series of lectures. Available at [https://hpb.narod.ru/SomeBasicConcepts.htm hpb.narod.ru]. Translated into Dutch.
* '''''Some Basic Concepts of Theosophy'''''. Adyar, Madras, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1960. Coauthor Eunice Layton, with foreword by Geoffrey Hodson. Based on a series of lectures. Available at [https://hpb.narod.ru/SomeBasicConcepts.htm hpb.narod.ru]. Translated into Dutch.
* '''''Theosophy: Key to Understanding'''''. Wheaton, Ill: Theosophical Publishing House, 1967. 170 pages. Coauthor Eunice Layton. Reissued in 1988 as ''Life, Your Great Adventure: a Theosophical View''. Translated into Finnish and Italian.
* '''''Theosophy: Key to Understanding'''''. Wheaton, Ill: Theosophical Publishing House, 1967. 170 pages. Coauthor Eunice Layton. Reissued in 1988 as ''Life, Your Great Adventure: a Theosophical View''. Translated into Finnish and Italian. Available for borrowing online at [https://archive.org/details/theosophykeytoun0000euni_b5d2/mode/2up Internet Archive]. It is a compilation of the Laytons' public lectures.
* '''''Einstein's Theories: In the Light of Theosophy'''''. Wheaton, Illinois : Theosophical Press, 1955. 21 pages. Pamphlet.
* '''''Einstein's Theories: In the Light of Theosophy'''''. Wheaton, Illinois : Theosophical Press, 1955. 21 pages. Pamphlet.


Latest revision as of 13:32, 31 January 2024

Publicity leaflet for a lecture tour, 1958

Felix Layton was an English-American lecturer and educator who was active in the Theosophical Society in America, along with his wife Eunice.

Personal life

Felix Layton was born on September 10, 1910 in Paignton, Devon, England, and raised in a family of Theosophists.[1] His parents were Wilfred Layton, an organist and music teacher, and his wife Ethel. The couple had two daughters before their son was born.[2] Felix attended St. Christopher’s School, a Theosophical institution, where he first became acquainted with his mentor, Geoffrey Hodson.[3] In the 1920s, Felix and his mother emigrated to Canada, and from there went to Michigan, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Michigan.[4]

During World War II he served in the Royal Corps of Signals, and then the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, ending with the rank of major.[5][6][7] He then returned to the U.S. in 1947 and taught science in high schools in San Francisco area for several years, including a position as teacher and house head at the Montezuma Boys School in Santa Clara.[8] Layton was married to Eunice Shipp on October 21, 1950 at Alameda.[9] They had probably met at the Pacific Lodge of the Theosophical Society, where both were members in the later 1940s.[10] On March 17, 1952, he became a naturalized citizen of the United States.[11]

On September 21, 1991, Felix Layton passed away in Ojai, California, after a brief illness. A requiem mass was held at the Church of Our Lady and All Angels in Ojai on September 24.[12]

Theosophical Society work

Felix Layton was admitted as a member of the Theosophical Society in America on September 15, 1930, joining the Flint, Michigan lodge. Previously he and his mother Ethel Laytons had been member since about 1928 in the Canadian Section.[13][14] He was president of Young Theosophists of America from 1933-1934.

"Responding to a request from International President George Arundale for workers, as a young man he sailed for India. He spent seven years in Adyar teaching and later as headmaster of the Besant School."[15] Radha Burnier was one of his students. On April 23, 1936 he transferred his membership to India, where he lived at the Adyar headquarters. He was Joint General Secretary of the World Federation of Young Theosophists from 1936-1937. After completing his wartime service in the British Army, he returned to the United States, and on November 13, 1947 transferred his TS membership back to the American Section.[16][17] Around that time, he and Eunice Shipp were both members of the Pacific Lodge in San Francisco, and they got married. Felix was elected president of the Northern California Theosophical Federation.[18]

The Laytons served for for several years on the staff of the national headquarters in the Department of Information, in Wheaton, Illinois. From 1954 to 1959, they travelled throughout the United States, lecturing and conducting classes on Theosophy in a rigorous schedule. During their Spotlight tour of Florida in the first three months of 1957, for example, they visited eight cities, giving 35 lectures and attending 9 meetings. In 1959, the Laytons began a world tour that took them to the international headquarters of the Society where they attended the School of the Wisdom, later serving as Assistant Directors of Study at that School.[19] Felix Layton was elected as vice president of the Theosophical Society in America in 1966, serving until 1972 in the administration of Joy Mills. Their lecture schedule took them to New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, Malaya and Ceylon, India, and Pakistan, plus a six-month lecture tour in Europe. They were popular lecturers, as mentioned in Theosophy in Australia:

They were well-known to Australian audiences, having toured the Section on several occasions as guest speakers. At Convention, when the talks and workshops were over for the day, members relaxed and enjoyed the Square and Scottish Dancing, Eunice led so efficiently in the evening. [20]

In 1972 the couple took a break from their travels, returning to San Francisco, with a big farewell party from the staff of the Wheaton, Illinois headquarters, and when they arrived at the West coast, over 50 members of California lodges united to hold a welcome party at the home of Mr. and Mrs. George Bartholemew.[21] In 1977, they moved to Krotona Institute of Theosophy in Ojai, California, and it became their base in Theosophical work. They were co-directors of the Krotona School of Theosophy from 1977-1979. From 1986 until his death in 1991, Felix was vice-president and resident head of the Institute, and Eunice supported him in this work.

Liberal Catholic Church

Felix Layton was a priest in the Liberal Catholic Church.[22]

Freemasonry

According to his obituary, Mr. Layton was a 32nd degree Co-Mason, American Federation of Human Rights.[23]

Book cover

Writings

  • Some Basic Concepts of Theosophy. Adyar, Madras, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1960. Coauthor Eunice Layton, with foreword by Geoffrey Hodson. Based on a series of lectures. Available at hpb.narod.ru. Translated into Dutch.
  • Theosophy: Key to Understanding. Wheaton, Ill: Theosophical Publishing House, 1967. 170 pages. Coauthor Eunice Layton. Reissued in 1988 as Life, Your Great Adventure: a Theosophical View. Translated into Finnish and Italian. Available for borrowing online at Internet Archive. It is a compilation of the Laytons' public lectures.
  • Einstein's Theories: In the Light of Theosophy. Wheaton, Illinois : Theosophical Press, 1955. 21 pages. Pamphlet.

Additional resources

Audio

  • Light on the Path. Wheaton, Illinois: The Theosophical Society in America, 1970. "Felix Layton explains that the aphorisms or rules contained in the cryptic and paradoxical book Light on the Path date back to ancient Alexandria and Egypt. Layton also gives practical suggestions for studying the work."
  • Light on the Path. 1970. "The book discussed as a guidebook for use during the student's entire life."
  • The Second Object of the Theosophical Society. Wheaton, Illinois: The Theosophical Society in America, 1970. 85 minutes.

Notes

  1. ↑ Felix Layton in 1910 England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915.
  2. ↑ 1911 Census of England and Wales.
  3. ↑ Footnote to Felix Layton's article "In Memoriam: Geoffrey Hodson, 1886-1983" The American Theosophist 71 no.3 (March, 1983): 69.
  4. ↑ "Layton, Felix" The International Theosophical Year Book 1938(Adyar, Madras, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1938), 194.
  5. ↑ 1941 UK, London Gazettes World War II Military Notices, 1939-1945.
  6. ↑ 1944 UK, London Gazettes World War II Military Notices, 1939-1945.
  7. ↑ Ledger Sheets 4. Membership records. Theosophical Society in America Archives.
  8. ↑ 1950 United States Federal Census.
  9. ↑ 1950 California, U.S., Marriage Index, 1949-1959.
  10. ↑ Ledger Sheets 4. Membership records. Theosophical Society in America Archives.
  11. ↑ 1952 U.S., Naturalization Record Indexes, 1791-1992.
  12. ↑ "Felix Layton, 1910-1991," The American Theosophist 79.6 (November-December 1991), 3-4.
  13. ↑ Felix Layton membership record. Ledger Cards microfilm reel 5. Theosophical Society in America Archives.
  14. ↑ "Layton, Felix" The International Theosophical year Book 1938 (Adyar, Madras, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1938), 194.
  15. ↑ "Felix Layton, 1910-1991" The American Theosophist 79 no.6 (November, 1991): 3-4.
  16. ↑ Felix Layton membership record. Ledger Sheets microfilm reel 4. Theosophical Society in America Archives.
  17. ↑ "Layton, Felix" The International Theosophical year Book 1938 (Adyar, Madras, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1938), 194.
  18. ↑ "Northern California Federation" The American Theosophist 41 no.11 (November, 1953): 224-225.
  19. ↑ Anonymous, "The Theosophical Society Presents Eunice Layton" publicity flyer. Leenhouts Papers. Theosophical Society in America Archives.
  20. ↑ "Felix Layton," Theosophy in Australia 55.4 (December 1991), 94.
  21. ↑ "New and Notes: Welcome to the Laytons," The American Theosophist 60.10 (October, 1972), 273.
  22. ↑ "Felix Layton, 1910-1991" The American Theosophist 79 no.6 (November, 1991): 3-4.
  23. ↑ "Felix Layton, 1910-1991" The American Theosophist 79 no.6 (November, 1991): 3-4.
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