Basil Crump

Basil Crump was an English barrister and Theosophist. He was known for his collaborations with Alice Leighton Cleather, and was one of the founders of the Universal Brotherhood (organization).

Personal life

Basil Woodward Crump was born on September 11, 1866 in London to Frederick Octavius and Isabel Teresa Crump. After attending Kensington Grammar School, he was admitted to Jesus College of Cambridge University. He became a Barrister-at-Law of the Middle Temple and was sub-editor of Law Times.

On May 30, 1945, at the age of 89, Crump died suddenly of heart failure in Calcutta.

Writings

Mr. Crump wrote many articles for Theosophical periodicals. The Union Index of Theosophical Periodicals lists 53 articles by or about him. The series on Wagner's operas and prose was particularly noteworthy.

Wagner series

• "Richard Wagner's Music Dramas: I". Theosophy 11.01 (April, 1896), 23. Introductory.
• "Richard Wagner's Music Dramas: II". Theosophy 11.04 (July, 1896), 113. The Flying Dutchman.
• "Richard Wagner's Music Dramas: III". Theosophy 11.05 (August, 1896), 147. Tannhäuser.
• "Richard Wagner's Music Dramas: IV". Theosophy 11.07 (October, 1896), 211. Lohengrin.
• "Richard Wagner's Music Dramas: V". Theosophy 11.09 (December, 1896), 272. The Meistersingers of Nuremburg.
• "Richard Wagner's Music Dramas: VI-1". Theosophy 11.11 (February, 1897), 336. The Ring of the Nibelung: Part I - The Rhinegold.
• "Richard Wagner's Music Dramas: VI-2". Theosophy 12.01 (April, 1897), 26. The Ring of the Nibelung: Part II - The Valkyrie.
• "Richard Wagner's Music Dramas: VI-3". Theosophy 12.02 (May, 1897), 54. The Ring of the Nibelung: Part III - Siegfried.
• "Richard Wagner's Music Dramas: VI-4a". Theosophy 12.05 (August, 1897), 204. The Ring of the Nibelung: Part IV - The Dusk of the Gods.
• "Richard Wagner's Music Dramas: VI-4b". Theosophy 12.06 (September, 1897), 257. The Ring of the Nibelung: Part IV - The Dusk of the Gods.
• "Richard Wagner's Music Dramas: VII-1". Theosophy 12.07 (October, 1897), 321. Tristan and Isolde.
• "Richard Wagner's Music Dramas: VII-2". Universal Brotherhood 12.09 (December, 1897), 73. Tristan and Isolde.
• "Richard Wagner's Music Dramas: VII-3". Universal Brotherhood 12.10 (January, 1898), 135. Tristan and Isolde.
• "Richard Wagner's Music Dramas: VIII-1". Universal Brotherhood 12.12 (March, 1898), 262. Parsifal.
• "Richard Wagner's Music Dramas: VIII-2". Universal Brotherhood 13.01 (April, 1898), 14. Parsifal.
• "Richard Wagner's Music Dramas: VIII-3". Universal Brotherhood 13.02 (May, 1898), 80. Parsifal.
• "Richard Wagner's Music Dramas: VIII-4". Universal Brotherhood 13.03 (June, 1898), 136. Parsifal.

• "Richard Wagner's Prose Works: I". Universal Brotherhood 13.11 (February, 1899), 593.
• "Richard Wagner's Prose Works: II". Universal Brotherhood 14.01 (April, 1899), 707.
• "Richard Wagner's Prose Works: III". Universal Brotherhood 14.02 (May, 1899), 71. Vol. 1, The Artwork of the Future.
• "Richard Wagner's Prose Works: IV". Universal Brotherhood 14.04 (July, 1899), 169. Vol. 1, The Artwork of the Future.
• "Richard Wagner's Prose Works: V". Universal Brotherhood 14.05 (August, 1899), 231. Vol. 1, The Artwork of the Future.
• "Richard Wagner's Prose Works: VI". Universal Brotherhood 14.06 (September, 1899), 284. Wieland the Smith.
• "Richard Wagner's Prose Works: VII". Universal Brotherhood 14.07 (October, 1899), 341. A Communication to My Friends.
• "Richard Wagner's Prose Works: VIII". Universal Brotherhood 14.08 (November, 1899), 388. A Communication to My Friends.

Books and pamphlets

• The Secret Doctrine on the Problem and Evolution of Sex. Toronto: H.P.B Library, 1931. Blavatsky Pamphlet # 2. Available at Canadian Theosophical Association website.

Coauthored with Alice Leighton Cleather

• Buddhism: the Science of Life. 1928.
• Parsifal, Lohengrin and the legend of the Holy Grail described and interpreted in accordance with Wagner's own writings. New York, Schirmer [1904?]. Available at Hathitrust.