Herbert Coryn
Hebert A.W. Coryn (1863-1927) was a member of the Theosophical Society. He was a was a prominent supporter of the Theosophical Society and [Helena Petrovna Blavatsky]. During the late 1880s and early 90s he was the president of Brixton Lodge in South London and also a member of Blavatsky's Inner Group. In 1893 he was one of the Theosophical representatives at the Chicago Worlds fair and World Parliament of Religion. In 1895, during the conflict between William Quan Judge and Annie Besant, he sided with Judge and was eventually expelled from the Theosophical Society. In 1900 he relocated from England to Point Loma, California where he supported the efforts of Katherine Tingley until his death.
Early life
Born in England in 1863, Coryn was the son of a physician. He followed in his father's footsteps studying medicine and becoming a member of the Royal College of Surgeons, London. Initially he worked at his father's medical practice.[1] He had three siblings, an older sister, Francis (1856-1927), married to Professor Fred J. Dick, and two brothers, Sidney and Edgar A., all active Theosophists.[2]
Theosophical Society Involvement
He joined the Theosophical Society in the late 1880s when Blavatsky had relocated to England. He immediately became one of her direct pupils and was fiercely loyal to her and the other early members of the Society, including William Quan Judge. When Blavatsky established her Inner Group, he was one of the twelve members.[3] In 1890, when Blavatsky declared herself president of the Theosophical Society of Europe, he was appointed to her advisory council.[4] During Blavatsky's life he also held other positions including the Secretary of Theosophical Lecturing Society.[5]
He was also the president of Brixton Lodge in South London, a position he held from c. 1890 until the lodge was dissolved in 1895. The lodge met in a small hall in the back of 196, Clapham Park Road, not far from the Clapham Road station.[6] The Lodge also attracted a number of prominent English occultists and Theosophists to lecture including Allan Bennett whom Coryn co-sponsor for membership,[7] and G.R.S. Mead.[8] Coryn also lectured on subjects such as through transference[9]. In addition to lectures, the lodge also hosted classes on The Secret Doctrine, developed a Girl's Guild, "giving an opportunity for the self-improvement to any young [people],"[10] and a lending library.[11]
During the 1893 World Parliament of Religions at the Colombian Exposition in Chicago, Coyrn is listed in attendance, the president of Brixton Lodge, and on Judge's Advisory Council.[12]
Judge Schism
In 1895, an internal conflict within the Theosophical leadership emerged. Various accusations were made against Judge that he forged letters from the Masters. Against Judge, making the accusations were Annie Besant and H.S. Olcott. Details of the conflict emerged in a number of publications, many of them Theosophical. One of the primary calls was for a detailed investigation in the matter and for Judge to step down from his position as Vice-President of the Theosophical Society. In his position as the president of Brixton Lodge, Coryn led a vote at the lodge where the members passed a resolution supporting Judge. The resolution read:
1. That this Lodge requests William Q. Judge not to resign from the office of Vice-President of the T.S., it being imperative for the best interests of the Society that he shall remain in the said office for the successful promulgation of Theosophy in America, and generally.
2. That in the opinion of this Lodge there is no necessity for the further investigation of the charges made against William Q. Judge.
3. That the Lodge expresses its fullest confidence in William Q. Judge personally, and as an official of the T.S., and also in his methods of work, and declares its determination to support him in his efforts therein.
Herbert Coryn, Pres.[13]
Later years
Writings
Notes
- ↑ Blavatsky's Collected Writings, Vol. IX, pg 410.
- ↑ Blavatsky's Collected Writings, Vol. IX, pg 411.
- ↑ Spierenburg, Henk J., ed. The Inner Group Teachings of H.P. Blavatsky to her personal pupils (1890-91), 2nd ed. San Diego: Point Loma Pub., 1995. xiii.
- ↑ Blavatsky's Collected Writings, Vol. XII, pg 263-254.
- ↑ Blavatsky's Collected Writings, Vol. XI, pg 300.
- ↑ The Vâhan, Vol 2.12, July 1, 1893, pg 7.
- ↑ Crow, John L. The White Knight in the Yellow Robe: Allan Bennett's Search for Truth. Master's Thesis, University of Amsterdam, 2009. Pg 24.
- ↑ The Vâhan, Vol 2.7, February 1, 1893, pg 7.
- ↑ The Vâhan, Vol 2.9, April1, 1893, pg 8.
- ↑ The Vâhan, Vol 2.9, April 1, 1893, pg 8.
- ↑ The Vâhan, Vol 3.3, October 1, 1893, pg 5.
- ↑ The Theosophical Congress held by the Theosophical Society at the Parliament, World's Fair of 1893, at Chicago, Ill., September 15, 16, 17. New York: American Section Headquarters T.S., 1893. pg 10.
- ↑ The Vâhan, Vol 4.8, March 1, 1895, pg 8.