| Summary |
MS Acc02.113 comprises biographical files on individuals with connections to theosophy, correspondence, papers relating to theosophy in Australia and theosophical history, Blavatsky correspondence, papers on the Liberal Catholic Church and the Esoteric Section, Arts Council papers, miscellaneous papers and photographs (99 boxes, 4 cartons, 1 fol. box, 1 fol. packet).
The Acc11.163 instalment comprises papers removed from books in the Cooper collection (Acc02.113) which were transferred to the General collection of the National Library. Comprises correspondence, one photographic negative, original and photocopied excerpts from books, newspaper cuttings, meeting notes, pictures, postcards, pamphlets, invoices and book receipts relating to theosophy, Eastern religions and comparative religion (2 folders).
|
| Biography/History |
Theosophist. Alfred John Cooper graduated with a Master of Arts degree in religious studies from the University of Sydney in 1987 with a dissertation titled “The theosophical crisis in Australia: the story of the break-up of the Theosophical Society in Sydney from 1913 until 1923”. Cooper became a lecturer in the School of Studies in Religion at the University of Sydney where he taught courses on Hinduism, Buddhism and the Gnostic tradition. As a scholar and collector in the field of theosophy, Cooper achieved national and international recognition for his work. Cooper also worked professionally in the field of arts administration, including as a senior executive with the Australia Council. Cooper was posthumously awarded a Ph.D. from the University of Sydney for his study on the correspondence of Helena P. Blavatsky, a founder of the Theosophical Society.
|