Cambridge Library Collection - Spiritualism and Esoteric Knowledge
2 primary works • 4 total works
Volume 1
First published in 1896, this two-volume biography details the life of physician and spiritualist Anna Kingsford (1846-1888). Kingsford, one of the first women to obtain a degree in medicine, began her literary career at the age of thirteen and in her lifetime was known for campaigning against vivisection, involvement in the suffragette movement, and promotion of vegetarianism, as well as her spiritualist exploits. This biography was written by her friend and colleague, the spiritualist Edward Maitland (1824-97), who served as Kingsford's protector while she studied in Paris. At the time of its publication, the work was not well received; the main criticism directed towards the book was that it focused on Maitland's psychic experiences rather than on Kingsford herself. Volume 1 focuses on Kingsford's early life, Maitland's first meeting with her, their time in Paris and their first supernatural experiences together.
Volume 2
First published in 1896, this two-volume biography details the life of physician and spiritualist Anna Kingsford (1846-1888). Kingsford, one of the first women to obtain a degree in medicine, began her literary career at the age of thirteen and in her lifetime was known for campaigning against vivisection, involvement in the suffragette movement, and promotion of vegetarianism, as well as her spiritualist exploits. This biography was written by her friend and colleague, the spiritualist Edward Maitland (1824-97), who served as Kingsford's protector while she studied in Paris. At the time of its publication, the work was not well received; the main criticism directed towards the book was that it focused on Maitland's psychic experiences rather than on Kingsford herself. Volume 2 details the later part of Kingsford's life, including extensive travel, the foundation of the Theosophical and Hermetic societies, her eventual decline in health and her death.
Anna Kingsford (1846-1888) published her first book at the age of 13. A passionate anti-vivisectionist, she also championed womens' rights and vegetarianism. Leaving behind her husband and daughter, she travelled to France to study medicine, accompanied by the writer Edward Maitland. The pair shared a fascination with the spiritual and became leading members of the Theosophical and Hermetic societies. This book, first published anonymously in 1882, is a collection of lectures on theosophical topics delivered to a private audience in summer 1881. It explores the basis of all religions, the nature of the soul, spiritualism and the feminine aspect of the divine, and also discusses blood sacrifice, vegetarianism, pantheism and the teachings of the Kabbalah and the Bhagavad Gita. The author hoped this wide-ranging study of allegories, symbols and myths would 'restore and rehabilitate the truth', reconciling mind and heart, religion and science, and promoting liberty and reason.
First published in 1896, this two-volume biography details the life of physician and spiritualist Anna Kingsford (1846-1888). Kingsford, one of the first women to obtain a degree in medicine, began her literary career at the age of thirteen and in her lifetime was known for campaigning against vivisection, involvement in the suffragette movement, and promotion of vegetarianism, as well as her spiritualist exploits. This biography was written by her friend and colleague, the spiritualist Edward Maitland (1824-1897), who served as Kingsford's protector while she studied in Paris. At the time of its publication, the work was not well received, the main criticism being that it focused on Maitland's psychic experiences rather than on Kingsford herself. Volume 1 includes her early life and meeting with Maitland. Volume 2 covers their shared spiritualist experiences and involvement with the Theosophical and Hermetic Societies.