Edouard Schure (1841-1929) was a French writer born in Strasbourg. He was a writer, philosopher, and musicologist. He wrote novels, theater pieces, historical works, poetry, and philosophical treatises. He was especially well known for his work The Great Initiates, which has been in print continuously in numerous languages. He was a devoted and early student of Rudolf Steiner and Anthroposophy. His other books include From Sphinx to Christ: An Occult History and the play The Children of Lucifer.