Augustus Francis Knudsen
Augustus Francis Knudsen (1869-1944) was an American Theosophist from Hawai'i who lectured for the Theosophical Society based in Adyar, Chennai, India. He was known to his friends as "Kahuna," meaning priest or wizard in the Hawaiian language.
Early years
Theosophical work
Mr. Knudsen very active in the Krotona Institute and in support of Jiddu Krishnamurti.
During 1928, Knudsen served as Acting Principal of Brahmavidya Ashrama in Adyar, in the place of James Cousins, who went on a lecture tour.[1] While travelling from Adyar to England on his way to the United States, he visited Jugoslavia, Poland, and Czecho-Slovakia, the "baby sections," which he had served for a number of years.[2]
During the 1930s, Mr. Knudsen was appointed as the Presidential Agent to the Far East.
Mr. Knudsen made a lecture tour of China in 1936 which raised great enthusiasm and showed many possibilities or future expansion. Under his direction translations are being made of Theosophical literature into Chinese and Japanese and he is taking full advantage of the new ferment of spiritual life to the spread of Theosophy.[3]
His work for the Shanghai Lodge was very intensive, with a daily talk on Theosophy from 12:05-12:20 pm on every day except Sunday, plus a public lecture ecvery Wednesday afternoon.[4]
Writings
Knudsen frequently wrote articles. The Union Index of Theosophical Periodicals lists over 80 articles by or about Knudsen.
Notes
- ↑ General Report of the Theosophical Society, 1928" page 6 and 29.
- ↑ "Mr. Knudsen Returns," The Theosophical Messenger 17.8 (August 1929), 182.
- ↑ Theosophical Year Book, 1937, The (Adyar, Madras, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1937), 1150-151.
- ↑ "Agent of Dr. Arundale in China," The American Theosophist 24.6 (June 1936), 143.