Short Biography of Col. Henry Steel Olcott 1875-1907

Colonel Henry Steel Olcott Born 2 August 1832 at Orange, New Jersey, U.S.A. One of the co-founders of the Theosophical Society and the first President.
Gained international renown at 23 for his work on the model farm of Scientific Agriculture at Newark. Declined Chair of Agriculture in University of Athens offered by Greek Government.

t hanging of John Brown, and though in considerable danger, extricated himself under the seal of Masonic confidence.

Co-Founder of Westchester Farm School, New York, the first American Scientific School of Agriculture.

His first book Sorghum and Imphee became a school textbook and brought him at 25 offers of a governmental botanical mission to Caffraria, S. Africa, Directorship of Agricultural Bureau at Washington, and managership of two immense properties, all of which he declined.

At 26 he toured Europe in the interests of agriculture and his report was published in the American Cyclopedia.

Became American correspondent of Mark Lane Express (London), Associate Agricultural Editor (1858-60) of New York Tribune, and published two more books on agriculture.

For his public service in agricultural reform was voted two medals of honour and a silver goblet. As reporter for New York Tribune in 1859, Olcott was present a

Joined the Northern Army and fought through North Carolina Campaign, invalided to New York (1862-5). Drafted as Special Commissioner of the War Department and later Navy Department for the investigation of frauds. Received high commendation for purifying the Public Service and cleansing these departments in peril of life and reputation.

In 1868 admitted to the Bar. Practised till 1878, specializing in customs, revenue and insurance cases. Published valuable report on insurance while Secretary and Managing Director of National Insurance Convention, a conference or league of State officials to codify and simplify insurance laws. A statute drafted by H.S.O. and another lawyer was passed in ten State Legislatures.

As Attorney he had such clients as:

New York City
N.Y. Stock Exchange
Mutual Equitable Life
Continental Life Insurance Companies,
Gold Exchange Bank,
Panama Railways,
The United Steel Manufacturers of Sheffield, England.
1852 - Embarked for Canada late in the year, went to New Orleans, Mexico, South America, West Indies, thence via the Cape and Ceylon to India.
Hon. Sec. to Citizens' National Committee working with French Government for first International Exposition of World Industries; also Served on International Italian Committee to erect statue to Mazzini in New York.

Was nominated by retiring Assistant Secretary of the Treasury and listed by President Johnson to succeed in that office, but he took sides with Congress against the President and lost the appointment.

Member of Lotos Club, and intimate friend of Mark Twain, and other famous authors.
Interested in Spiritualism from the age of 19, he reported the psychic phenomena at Eddy Farm in 1874 for New York Sun and New York Graphic.

Published as People from the Other World, 1875, one of the earliest books on psychical research, highly praised by:Alfred Russel Wallace, FRS and Sir William Crookes, FRS.

At Eddy Homestead met Helena Petrovna Blavatsky and together they threw themselves into defence of reality of spiritualistic phenomena while attempting to purify spiritualistic movement of its materialistic trend.

Helped Blavatsky with the preparation of her book, Isis Unveiled. Together they founded The Theosophical Society at New York, 17 November 1875.

Organized Together with Blavatsky the first public cremation in the U.S.A. in 1876.

In 1878 the Co-Founders moved T.S. Headquarters to Bombay, India. Before leaving, H.S.O. received from U.S. President autographed letter of recommendation to all U.S. Ministers and Consuls; and from Dept. of State a special diplomatic passport, and a commission to report to Government upon the practicability of extending the commercial interests of U.S. in Asia.

Held the first Swadeshi Exhibition in Bombay.

As President of the T.S., championed in India, Ceylon, Japan and other oriental countries the revival of:

Hinduism

Buddhism,

Zoroastrianism,

Islam and other faiths.

Stimulated Sanskrit revival.

1880 - United the sects of Ceylon in the Buddhist Section of the Theosophical Society

1889 - The 12 sects of Japan into a Joint Committee for the promotion of Buddhism, Burma, Siam, and Ceylon into a Convention of Southern Buddhists (1891); and finally Northern and Southern Buddhism through joint signatures to his Fourteen Propositions of Buddhism (1891). With delegation of Buddhists (1882) in a Hindu Temple at Tinnevelly, planted "Tree of Friendship" as the first act of fraternization for hundreds of years between Buddhists and Hindus.

1886 - Founded Adyar Library at which for the first time in history the religious teachers of Hinduism, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism and Islam united to bless a common cause. Though H.S.O.'s vision the principle of autonomous Sections with an international Headquarters was developed.

1882-83 with mesmeric healing treated 6,000 cripples, deaf, dumb, blind and insane with phenomenal success. Started Olcott Harijan Free Schools for the education of the outcastes of India.

Throughout India founded Hindu schools, Boy's Aryan Leagues and libraries, and sponsored and published Arya Bala Bodhini for Hindu boys. In Ceylon established schools for Buddhist children. Secured for Ceylon Buddhists freedom from religious persecution and Wesak as public holiday.

1891 Sponsored informal conference on possibility of Women's National Society in India.

1888 Planned institute of technological education for the Maharaja of Baroda. Lectured and traveled for T.S. many thousands of miles yearly by land and sea. Made Hon. Member of many famous clubs and learned societies.

Received official blessing of:

Pope Pio Nono

Blessed by the Buddhist High Priests of Ceylon, Burma, Siam and Japan, for his work for Buddhism (he took Pancha Sheela as a Buddhist in 1880); and adopted into the Brahmin caste for distinguished services to Hinduism.

Some Publications:

Editor The Theosophist after H.P.B. left for Europe 1885

The Buddhist Catechism, 44 editions (1938) translated into 20 languages,

Old Diary Leaves, history of T.S. (in six volumes);

Many pamphlets and articles on Theosophy, religion, psychic phenomena, etc.

Passed away on 17 February 1907, at Adyar, nominating as his successor Annie Besant