Continuing our survey of institutions holding significant collections pertaining to Thelema, OTO, A.’.A.’., Aleister Crowley and the like, we turn to Rutgers University’s Archibald Stevens Alexander Library in New Brunswick, NJ. It’s Special Collections includes the archives of Major-General John Frederick Charles Fuller, both his work on military strategy as well as a significant amount documenting his relationship with with Aleister Crowley.
According to Wikipedia: “Major-General John Frederick Charles Fuller, CB, CBE, DSO (1 September 1878 – 10 February 1966) was a British Army officer, military historian and strategist, notable as an early theorist of modern armoured warfare, including categorising principles of warfare.”
According to an event description for “The Soldier and the Seer: J.F.C. Fuller, Aleister Crowley, and the British Occult Revival” colloquium held at Rutgers University last Summer:
“Fuller discovered the poetical and philosophical writings of the British occultist Aleister Crowley (1875–1947), and subsequently wrote a book, The Star in the West: A Critical Essay upon the Works of Aleister Crowley(1907). Crowley played a pivotal role in Fuller’s future career by introducing him to (fellow military strategist) Clausewitz’s English translator, and appointing him co-editor of the literary and occult journal The Equinox from 1909 to 1910. Fuller was also a contributor and principal illustrator for The Equinox, proving himself to be an unusually gifted draftsman and artist.
“J.F.C. Fuller became the founding chancellor of the spiritual order Argenteum Astrum (Silver Star), which Crowley co-founded to reform the British occult society, the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. Although Fuller had an abrupt falling-out with Crowley in 1911, he had already been instrumental in helping Crowley launch his spiritual movement, Thelema.”
For details on the collection visit: http://www.libraries.rutgers.edu/alexander
