Auguste Marques
Dr. Auguste Jean Baptiste Marques was a scientist, diplomat, and writer who lived in Hawai'i. He was President of the Aloha Branch and served as General Secretary of the Australian Section of the Theosophical Society based in Adyar, Chennai, India.
Early life and work
Dr. Marques arrived in Hawai'i in 1878. He was a medical school graduate and resident of France, although a 1901 passenger list identifies his nationality as Italian.
He soon helped found the Honolulu Library and Reading Room Association, later Honolulu's first public library, and he actively promoted fund-raising efforts, purchased books, and organized a music department. A self-proclaimed advocate of Portuguese interests in his early years in Hawai'i, Marques established the Anti-Asiatic Society to work for the restriction of the immigration of Japanese and Chinese laborers. After reading Blavatsky's Isis Unveiled in 1885, he became interested in Theosophy, traveling to Europe in 1888 to further his research on the topic.[1]
After his exposure to Theosophy, he dropped his anti-Asiatic activities. He taught music, then French at Oahu College and Punahou Preparatory School during the years 1883-1891.[2] He also edited the Portuguese language newspaper 0 Luso Hawaiiano during the years 1885-1888. An active supporter of Queen Lili'uokalani, he served a term as a member of the Hawaiian legislature in 1890.[3][4]. He was keenly engaged in civic affairs, and was director of the Honolulu Symphony Society.[5] He wrote for many periodicals about Hawaiian culture and mythology.
Theosophical Society involvement
In February 1894, Dr. Marques worked with Mrs. Mary E. Foster to establish the Aloha Branch of the Theosophical Society, and he became its first President and host of weekly meetings. Mrs. Foster's brother Mark Robinson, a prominent banker and invester, was also involved; he hosted Theosophical gatherings at his home. They organized lectures and classes, and several other study groups.[6] From 1899-1901, Dr. Marques served as General Secretary of the Australian Section, and he traveled to India as a delegate. During the 1890s, Dr. Marques frequently contributed articles to Theosophical periodicals.
Diplomatic positions
Around 1907, Dr. Marques became Acting Consul in Hawai'i for France, and Vice Consul for Spain. For over 20 years, he represented the interests of France as Consular Agent and then Consul. He also became, at the same time, Consul for Panama and Vice Consul for Belgium and Russia. He worked out of his residence at 1928 Wilder Avenue in Honolulu.[7]
Marriage to Evelyn
At the age of 56, Dr. Marques married a remarkable woman, Evelyn Mary Oliver. on June 7, 1900.
Born in Canada in 1863, Evelyn Oliver had come to Hawai'i from Canada in 1889 as a publisher's representative. She soon became interested in providing a sales outlet and a source of income, for Hawaiian women's handicrafts.[8]
To this end, she established and managed a shop, the Women's Exchange, for at least the years 1904-1910.[9] During a period that her husband was ill, she assumed his responsibilities as Consul for France.
Writings
Dr. Marques wrote numerous articles for Theosophical journals, mostly during the 1890s. The Union Index of Theosophical Periodicals lists 42 articles by or reviews of books by A Marques.
He also wrote at least two books:
- The Human Aura. San Francisco: Mercury Publishing Co., 1896. A copy of this work is in the Boris de Zirkoff Papers, Records Series 25, Theosophical Society in America Archives.
- Scientific Corroborations of Theosophy. San Francisco: Mercury Publishing Co., 1908. This is a study of the scientific validity of Theosophy, billed as "A vindication of the secret doctrine by the latest discoveries" in one edition. A copy of this work is in the Boris de Zirkoff Papers, Records Series 25, Theosophical Society in America Archives. That copy is the fourth edition in 1897 of a lecture by "A. Marques, D. Sc., President Aloha Branch T.S." and was "Revised, Amplified, and Printed by request of the Chicago Theosophists for White Lotus Day with an introduction by Mrs. Annie Besant." The subheading is "or H.P.B.'s Secret Doctrine Vindicated by the Progress of Science."
Additional sources
- Bouslog, Charles S. "Dr. Auguste and Evelyn Marques." The Hawaiian Journal of History 26 (1992), 157-164.
Notes
- ↑ Frank Karpiel, "Theosophy, Culture, and Politics in Honolulu, 1890-1920," Hawaiian Journal of History 30 (1996), 180. Available at this website.
- ↑ Oahu College School Catalog, 1891.
- ↑ Frank Karpiel, "Theosophy, Culture, and Politics in Honolulu, 1890-1920," Hawaiian Journal of History 30 (1996), 181. Available at this website.
- ↑ Honolulu City Directory, 1890
- ↑ Honolulu City Directory, 1904.
- ↑ Frank Karpiel, "Theosophy, Culture, and Politics in Honolulu, 1890-1920," Hawaiian Journal of History 30 (1996), 180-181. Available at this website.
- ↑ Honolulu City Directories, 1903-1928.
- ↑ Charles S. Bouslog, "Doctor Auguste Jean Baptiste and Evelyn Oliver Marques," The Hawaiian Journal of History.
- ↑ Honolulu City Directories, 1904-1910.