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Vanguard of the New AgeThe Toronto Theosophical Society, 1891-1945 |
eBook Available
The story of the small "new age" religious group that introduced Victorian Toronto to Eastern thought and theology, vegetarianism, reincarnation, cremation, and the pacifism of Mohandas Gandhi.
Vanguard of the New Age unearths a largely ignored dimension of Canadian religious history. Gillian McCann tells the story of a diverse group of occultists, temperance leaguers, and suffragettes who attempted to build a Utopian society based on spiritual principles.
Members of the Toronto Theosophical Society were among the first in Canada to apply Eastern philosophy to the social justice issues of the period - from poverty and religious division to the changing role of women in society. Among the most radical and culturally creative movements of their time, the Theosophists called for a new social order based on principles of cooperation and creativity. Intrigued by this compelling vision of a new age, luminaries such as members of the Group of Seven, feminist Flora MacDonald Denison, Emily Stowe, and anarchist Emma Goldman were drawn to the society.
Meticulously researched and compellingly written, this careful reconstruction preserves Theosophist founder Albert Smythe's dream of a culturally distinct, egalitarian, and religiously pluralist nation.
Members of the Toronto Theosophical Society were among the first in Canada to apply Eastern philosophy to the social justice issues of the period - from poverty and religious division to the changing role of women in society. Among the most radical and culturally creative movements of their time, the Theosophists called for a new social order based on principles of cooperation and creativity. Intrigued by this compelling vision of a new age, luminaries such as members of the Group of Seven, feminist Flora MacDonald Denison, Emily Stowe, and anarchist Emma Goldman were drawn to the society.
Meticulously researched and compellingly written, this careful reconstruction preserves Theosophist founder Albert Smythe's dream of a culturally distinct, egalitarian, and religiously pluralist nation.
Details
Part of the McGill-Queen's Studies in the History of Religion Series (number 2.55 in series)
240 Pages, 6 x 9
ISBN 9780773539983
May 2012
Formats: Cloth, eBook
"Vanguard of the New Age is an engaging read about the formation of radical social and political circles in turn-of-the-century Toronto, as well as how Anglo-Canadian intellectuals formed international links and engaged in incipient nation building. Kudos to McCann for unearthing a forgotten piece of Canadian history that enlivens our understanding of our country's diverse intellectual foundations." Canada's History
“McCann adeptly introduces the reader to a fascinating cast of characters, both local and international, providing a broad trans-national context for a local story of religious alternatives in a primarily British Protestant conservative imperial enclave.” Mark McGowan, St. Michael's College, University of Toronto
“McCann’s balanced and discriminating study makes it clear that the Toronto lodge, due in large part to the extraordinary influence of leading Toronto journalist Albert Symthe, is the vital one in Canadian theosophical history.” Jill Roe, Macquarie University
“Vanguard of the New Age is an excellent, well-researched book and a valuable contribution to scholars interested in Theosophy, esotericism, new religious movements, religion, politics, culture, and Canadian history. McCann’s well-researched, balanced, and outstanding study clearly succeeds in its aim of understanding the significant role of the TTS on the cultural scene and makes for an engaging & highly recommended reconstruction of a noteworthy chapter in Canadian cultural history.” Nova Religio
“McCann adeptly introduces the reader to a fascinating cast of characters, both local and international, providing a broad trans-national context for a local story of religious alternatives in a primarily British Protestant conservative imperial enclave.” Mark McGowan, St. Michael's College, University of Toronto
“McCann’s balanced and discriminating study makes it clear that the Toronto lodge, due in large part to the extraordinary influence of leading Toronto journalist Albert Symthe, is the vital one in Canadian theosophical history.” Jill Roe, Macquarie University
“Vanguard of the New Age is an excellent, well-researched book and a valuable contribution to scholars interested in Theosophy, esotericism, new religious movements, religion, politics, culture, and Canadian history. McCann’s well-researched, balanced, and outstanding study clearly succeeds in its aim of understanding the significant role of the TTS on the cultural scene and makes for an engaging & highly recommended reconstruction of a noteworthy chapter in Canadian cultural history.” Nova Religio
Gillian McCann is assistant professor in the Religions and Cultures Department at Nipissing University.
9780228008903
$75.00 CAD
Cloth
9780773532847
$37.95 CAD
Paperback
9780773530577
$125.00 CAD
Cloth
9780773516007
$125.00 CAD
Cloth
