L. W. de Laurence

L. W. de Laurence was an American publisher, writer, and occultist who lived from 1868 to 1936. He is best known for his controversial books on spirituality, magic, and the occult.

De Laurence was born in Ohio in 1868 and grew up in Chicago. He was raised in a Christian Science household and developed an interest in spirituality and metaphysics at a young age. He began studying the works of renowned occultists such as Eliphas Levi, Helena Blavatsky, and Aleister Crowley, and eventually became a prominent figure in the occult community.

De Laurence founded his publishing company, the de Laurence, Scott & Co., in 1899. The company specialized in publishing books on spirituality, magic, and the occult, as well as various other subjects such as health, hypnosis, and psychic development. Many of de Laurence's books were controversial at the time and were criticized by religious authorities for their alleged promotion of witchcraft and other occult practices.

Despite the controversy surrounding his work, de Laurence was a deeply spiritual person who believed in the power of magic and the occult to transform people's lives. He was a strong advocate for self-improvement and personal growth, and his books often emphasized the importance of positive thinking and self-discipline.

De Laurence's most notable works include "The Great Book of Magical Art, Hindu Magic and East Indian Occultism", "The Sixth and Seventh Books of Moses", and "The Mystic Hindu Test Book". These books continue to be popular among practitioners of the occult and have been reprinted numerous times over the years.

De Laurence died in 1936, but his legacy lives on through his writings and his impact on the occult community. While some view him as a controversial figure, others see him as a visionary who helped to popularize the study of spirituality and the occult in the United States.

A fun fact about de Laurence is that he was known for his colorful personality and his eccentric habits. He was known to wear elaborate costumes and to perform elaborate rituals in public, which often drew attention and criticism from others. Despite this, he remained committed to his beliefs and his passion for the occult until the end of his life.