Julia K. Sommer
Julia Katherine Sommer was an American Theosophist, astrologer, lecturer, and educator.
Early life and education
Miss Sommer was born in Germany on December 15, 1873.[1] She received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Chicago, and a Master of Arts degree from Columbia College [probably Columbia University in New York rather than Columbia College in Chicago].[2] She taught public school in Chicago, living in 1910 with her younger sister Catherine, who kept house, and her brother William [born Wilhelm], a draftsman.[3] She became a naturalized citizen of the United States on October 24, 1896 in Chicago.[4]
Theosophical work
Miss Sommer joined the Theosophical Society on December 12, 1904 in Chicago. From 1912 to 1919, she chaired the Chicago Theosophical Association, which was a federation of lodges.[5] Her brother William was also a member of the society in Chicago in 1909, and intermittently until 1939.[6]
Educational work
In 1920 Miss Sommer moved to Hollywood, California, where she served as principal of the School of the Open Gate from 1920-1925. The school was operated by the Krotona Institute of Theosophy.
She served as president of the Theosophical Fraternity in Education for America.[7] In her capacity as Chairman of the Theosophical World-University Association in America, she edited Child Training: In the Light of Theosophy, which was compiled by Professor R. K. Kulkarni of the League of Parents and Teachers.
Later years
In retirement Miss Sommers lived at the Krotona Institute of Theosophy in Ojai, California, and died on February 16, 1945. She never married.[8]
Publications
- Child Training: In the Light of Theosophy. Wheaton, IL: The Theosophical Press, 1927. Julkarni, R. K., compiler, and Julia K. Sommer, editor.
- The Dramatic Instinct: Its Place in Elementary Education. Chicago: Theosophical Fraternity in Education in America, 1925.
- Educational Ideals.
- Progressive Steps in Education; a Partial Report on the Second West Coast Conference on Progressive Education, a Consideration of the Problems There Discussed, and Historical Matter Pertinent Thereto. Rochester, N.Y., Henriette Posner, 1930.
- When Were You Born? Or, The Prenatal Correction of a Horoscope (a Short-cut Method). Ojai, Calif: Theosophical World University in America, 1938.
Additional resources
Correspondence dated 1925-1935 from her work at the Theosophical World-University is in the Mary Anita Ewer Papers at the Cornell University Archives.[1]
Notes
- ↑ California death certificate.
- ↑ The International Theosophical Year Book 1938 (Adyar, Madras, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1938): 214.
- ↑ U. S. Census, 1910 and 1920.
- ↑ Passenger list of S. S. Berlin. March 8, 1929. Sailing from Southampton to New York.
- ↑ The International Theosophical Year Book 1938 (Adyar, Madras, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1938): 214.
- ↑ Membership Ledger Cards microfilm roll 7. Theosophical Society in American Archives.
- ↑ "The School of the Open Gate," The Messenger 8.10 (March 1921), 632.
- ↑ California death certificate.