Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Ella Wheeler Wilcox (November 5, 1850 – October 30, 1919) was an American poet and journalist who was keenly interested in Theosophy, New Thought, and Spiritualism.
Personal life
Theosophical Society involvement
Mrs. Wilcox was admitted as a member of the American Theosophical Society on October 14, 1913 in New Haven, Connecticut.[1] Her autobiography, The Worlds and I, makes mentions of Theosophy, Elliott Coues, Emily Lutyens, and L. W. Rogers.[2]
This poem appeared in The Theosophical Messenger in 1902:
You never can tell what your thoughts may do,
- In bringing you hate or love,
For thoughts are things, and their airy wings
- Are swifter than carrier dove.
They follow the law of the universe –
- Each thing must create its kind –
And they speed o'er the track to bring you back.
- Whatever went out of your mind.[3]
William John Walters cited this verse as a good way to convey the concepts of Theosophy to children.
Writings
Her literary work enjoyed great popularity with the general public, and was much appreciated by Theosophists. Irish poet and educator Dr. James Cousins mentioned "Ella Wheeler Wilcox, who, if she be not conceded a place with the major poets, has influenced many thousands by her verses."[4]
Poetry
Articles and pamphlets
Her pamphlet about New Thought had a distribution of 50,000 copies. She also had dozens of her poems and articles printed in Theosophical publications.The Union Index of Theosophical Periodicals lists 88 poems and articles by or about Mrs. Wilcox.
Additional resources
- Ella Wheeler Wilcox: American Poet & Journalist & Free Thinker at EllaWheelerWilcox.org website.
- Ella Wheeler Wilcox in Wikipedia.
- Ella Wheeler Wilcox in Poetry Foundation website.
- Ella Wheeler Wilcox Poems at Poetry Hunter website.
Notes
- ↑ Membership Ledger Cards. Microfilm roll 8. Theosophical Society in America Archives.
- ↑ Ella Wheeler Wilcox. The Worlds and I. New York: George H. Doran Company, 1918. Available at Google eBooks.
- ↑ William John Walters, The Theosophic Messenger 3.9 (June, 1902), p129.
- ↑ James H. Cousins, "The Life and Work of Jean Delville, Theosophist Painter-Poet." The Theosophist47.3 (December 1925), 396.