Fritz Kunz

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ARTICLE UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Fritz Kunz

Fritz Kunz, left, with older siblings. Image from TSA Archives.

Fritz L. Kunz (1888-1971) was an American lecturer, educator, editor, and writer associated with the Theosophical Society based in Adyar, India. He was married to Dora van Gelder Kunz, who served as President of the Theosophical Society in America.

Principal at Ananda College

At Kunz's request, his brother-in-law Hervey Gulick brought an Encyclopedia Britannica with him from America. It was a treasured resource that only the upper classmen were allowed to use under heavy supervision.

Mr. Kunz became increasingly active in attempting to improve conditions of the lowest level of society. His social activism caught the attention of the British, who called him "stumpy," and "that short little Buddhist American." As the political environment became more volatile, the British suspended the constitution and instituted martial law. One day when a large commotion took place in front of the school, Kunz sent one of the staff out to see what was happening, and Mr. Menon was shot and killed by the British.

When his arrest by the British authorities was imminent, Kunz fled to India.

Life at The Manor

Publicity flyer. Image from TSA Archives.

Marriage and family life

Kunz family in Rye, New York. Image from TSA Archives.

Books and articles

Mr. Kunz was a prolific writer of articles for Theosophical periodicals and academic journals. The Union Index of Theosophical Periodicals lists articles published under the name Fritz Kunz and under the initials FLK. Kunz also used pseudonyms during the years 1914-1917 including L. E. Girard, E. L. Girard, S. E. Girard, and Fabius Cunctator, and probably wrote many articles anonymously when he was working for Annie Besant at Adyar.

In 1937, Kunz saw the publication of a book. The Men Beyond Mankind: A Study of the Next Step in Personal and Social Emotion (New York: David Mackay, 1937) discusses the evolutionary process that led to humankind, the nature of human consciousness, and the types of beings that will succeed humans. It is available in digital form on a Russian web page.

Another book, Integrative Principles of Modern Thought was to be published by Gordon and Breach in 1970. Kunz died before publication took place, and the work was published in 1972 by Kunz' longtime associate Henry Margenau.

Correspondence, pseudonyms, and handwriting

Signature in 1915. From TSA Archives

Fritz Kunz engaged in an extensive correspondence throughout his life. He was a proficient typist from his early teens when he was a secretary to C. W. Leadbeater, and tended to type his letters when a machine was available.

In writing to his sisters and friends, he was high-spirited and playful, often using nicknames and pseudonyms. To correspondents, he usually signed as FLK or FK, but sometimes as Lent [significance unknown]. He addressed Alma Kunz as A, Litta Kunz as Lid or Boans, Minna Kunz as Schmidt, and Leadbeater as Uncle. He used pseudonyms in some of his writing for Theosophical periodicals, including L. E. Girard, E. L. Girard, S. E. Girard, and Fabius Cunctator during the years 1914-1917.

Additional resources

• In Profound Gratitude by Edward Abdill