Henry Steel Olcott (1832–1907) was an American military officer, lawyer, and prominent figure in the early development of the Theosophical Society. Here are some key aspects of his life:
Early Life and Military Career:
- Born on 02 August 1832, in Orange, New Jersey, USA.
- Olcott had a successful career as a military officer, serving in the Union Army during the American Civil War.
Theosophical Society:
- Olcott became involved in the spiritual and philosophical pursuits after the Civil War.
- In 1875, he, along with Helena Petrovna Blavatsky and William Quan Judge, founded the Theosophical Society in New York City. The society aimed to explore and promote spiritual wisdom, universal brotherhood, and the comparative study of religion and philosophy.
Work in India:
- Olcott and Blavatsky traveled to India in 1879, where they established the international headquarters of the Theosophical Society in Adyar, near Chennai.
- In India, Olcott worked on educational and social reform projects, including efforts to revive and promote traditional Indian education.
Contributions to Buddhism:
- Olcott embraced Buddhism and played a significant role in the revival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka (then Ceylon).
- He was instrumental in the Buddhist revival movement and contributed to the establishment of Buddhist schools and the recognition of Buddhism as a major religion in Sri Lanka.
Later Years and Death:
- Olcott continued his involvement in the Theosophical Society until his death.
- He passed away on 17 February 1907, in Adyar, Madras, British India (now part of Chennai, India).
Henry Steel Olcott's legacy is particularly associated with his contributions to the Theosophical movement, his work in promoting education and social reform in India, and his efforts in the revival of Buddhism.
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