About
Aleister Crowley, born Edward Alexander Crowley, is a controversial figure in 20th-century occultism. A member of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, he founded his own doctrine, Thelema, after receiving The Book of the Law in 1904. He co-founded the order A∴A∴ and reformed the Ordo Templi Orientis. A prolific author, he wrote on magic, tarot, and his autobiography. An accomplished mountaineer, he participated in expeditions in the Himalayas. His reputation as 'the wickedest man in the world,' fueled by the tabloid press, persists after his death.
* 1875-10-12 — † 1947-12-01
Major works
- The Book of the Law (1904)sacred text
- Works of Aleister Crowley (1905-1907)collection
- Magick in Theory and Practice (1929)treatise
- The Confessions of Aleister Crowley (1929)autobiography
- The Book of Thoth (1944)essay
Key milestones
- 1898Joined the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn.
- 1904Received The Book of the Law in Cairo, foundation of Thelema.
- 1920Established the Abbey of Thelema in Cefalù, Sicily.
Themes
MagicThelemaIndividual willOccultismMountaineering
Sources: oxforddnb.com · id.loc.gov · britannica.com