Maud Hoffman - Revision history

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Connection to Gurdjieff

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	== Connection to Gurdjieff ==		== Connection to Gurdjieff ==

	In October, 1921, [[P. D. Ouspensky]] was in London lecturing on the teachings of [[G. I. Gurdjieff]]. Maud Hoffman and [[A. Trevor Barker]] became students of Ouspensky, until they heard Gurdjieff himself speaking at the Theosophical Society's rooms on February 13, 1922. At that point they became pupils of Gurdjieff, along with their friends Dr. Maurice Nicoll and Dr. James Young.<ref>Seymour B. Ginsburg, "A Teacher of Dancing: The Mahatma Letters and Gurdjieff" ''The Quest'' 103 no.2 (April, 2015): 59.</ref>		In October, 1921, [[P. D. Ouspensky]] was in London lecturing on the teachings of [[Georges Ivanovich Gurdjieff\|G. I. Gurdjieff]]. Maud Hoffman and [[A. Trevor Barker]] became students of Ouspensky, until they heard Gurdjieff himself speaking at the Theosophical Society's rooms on February 13, 1922. At that point they became pupils of Gurdjieff, along with their friends Dr. Maurice Nicoll and Dr. James Young.<ref>Seymour B. Ginsburg, "A Teacher of Dancing: The Mahatma Letters and Gurdjieff" ''The Quest'' 103 no.2 (April, 2015): 59.</ref>

	<blockquote>		<blockquote>

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Theosophical Society activities

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	[[H. N. Stokes]], in his [[The O. E. Library Critic (periodical)\|''The O. E. Library Critic'']], wrote that the president of the [[Theosophical Society (Adyar)\|Theosophical Society based in Adyar]], [[Annie Besant]], ejected Miss Hoffman from the [[Esoteric Section]] for releasing the Mahatma Letters to the public against the wishes of the Mahatmas.<ref>H. N. Stokes, "Leadbeater Whacks Barker" ''O. E. Library Critic'' 21 no.5 (December, 1931): 11.</ref> However, Sinnett himself saw no objection in publishing the letters, and was supported in this by [[Gottfried de Purucker]] and others.<ref>W. Emmett Small and Helen Todd, "In the Future - a Spiritual Brotherhood" ''Eclectic Theosophist'' no.20 (January 15, 1974): 4.</ref> Many of the letters had previously been published in books and periodicals. Miss Hoffman formed the Mahatma Letters Trust, and turned over responsibility for future editions to [[Christmas Humphreys]] and [[Elsie Benjamin]].		[[H. N. Stokes]], in his [[The O. E. Library Critic (periodical)\|''The O. E. Library Critic'']], wrote that the president of the [[Theosophical Society (Adyar)\|Theosophical Society based in Adyar]], [[Annie Besant]], ejected Miss Hoffman from the [[Esoteric Section]] for releasing the Mahatma Letters to the public against the wishes of the Mahatmas.<ref>H. N. Stokes, "Leadbeater Whacks Barker" ''O. E. Library Critic'' 21 no.5 (December, 1931): 11.</ref> However, Sinnett himself saw no objection in publishing the letters, and was supported in this by [[Gottfried de Purucker]] and others.<ref>W. Emmett Small and Helen Todd, "In the Future - a Spiritual Brotherhood" ''Eclectic Theosophist'' no.20 (January 15, 1974): 4.</ref> Many of the letters had previously been published in books and periodicals. Miss Hoffman formed the '''[[Mahatma Letters Trust]]''', and turned over responsibility for future editions to [[Christmas Humphreys]] and [[Elsie Benjamin]].

	In 1931, Miss Hoffman was a participant in the '''Centennial Conference''' in London held to honor the birth of [[Theosophical Society]] founder [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky]]. The conference was an attempt proposed by [[Gottfried de Purucker]] to bridge gaps in the fractured [[Theosophical Movement]] in order to restore a sense of brotherhood and unity. Miss Hoffman was invited as an independent Theosophist of England.<ref>Anonymous, "In the Future - a Spiritual Brotherhood" ''The Eclectic Theosophist'' no.20 (Jan 15, 1974): 1.</ref>		In 1931, Miss Hoffman was a participant in the '''Centennial Conference''' in London held to honor the birth of [[Theosophical Society]] founder [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky]]. The conference was an attempt proposed by [[Gottfried de Purucker]] to bridge gaps in the fractured [[Theosophical Movement]] in order to restore a sense of brotherhood and unity. Miss Hoffman was invited as an independent Theosophist of England.<ref>Anonymous, "In the Future - a Spiritual Brotherhood" ''The Eclectic Theosophist'' no.20 (Jan 15, 1974): 1.</ref>

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	~~'''UNDER CONSTRUCTION'''~~
	~~<br>~~
	~~'''UNDER CONSTRUCTION'''~~
	~~<br>~~
	[[File:Maude Hoffman from Wikidata.jpg\|right\|200px\|thumb\|Maud Hoffman]]		[[File:Maude Hoffman from Wikidata.jpg\|right\|200px\|thumb\|Maud Hoffman]]
	'''Maud Hoffman''' (1869-1953) was an American Theosophist and actress who was heir to the estate of [[A. P. Sinnett]]. She entrusted [[A. Trevor Barker]] with the task of publishing [[The Mahatma Letters to A. P. Sinnett (book)\|''The Mahatma Letters to A. P. Sinnett'']] and [[The Letters of H. P. Blavatsky to A. P. Sinnett (book)\|''The Letters of H. P. Blavatsky to A. P. Sinnett'']], both based on correspondence from the Sinnett estate.		'''Maud Hoffman''' (1869-1953) was an American Theosophist and actress who was heir to the estate of [[A. P. Sinnett]]. She entrusted [[A. Trevor Barker]] with the task of publishing [[The Mahatma Letters to A. P. Sinnett (book)\|''The Mahatma Letters to A. P. Sinnett'']] and [[The Letters of H. P. Blavatsky to A. P. Sinnett (book)\|''The Letters of H. P. Blavatsky to A. P. Sinnett'']], both based on correspondence from the Sinnett estate.
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	== Early life ==		== Early life ==

	Maud was born as the daughter of John T. Plummer and Martha Plummer in Indianapolis, Indiana in ~~November~~, 1869. John was a letter carrier. By 1880, Martha and Maud were living in Kansas City.		Maud was born as the daughter of John T. Plummer and Martha Plummer in Indianapolis, Indiana in December 4, 1869 or 1870.<ref>Consular Registration Application, 1917.</ref> John was a letter carrier. By 1880, Martha and Maud were living in Kansas City. Martha was married to carpenter W. T. Hoffman, who had a son Harry two years older than Maud. The family moved to Corvallis, Oregon, where Maud received most of her early schooling.

	At the age of 17, Maud enrolled in a two-year course at a California ~~university~~, followed by a season in New York studying elocution. She taught for a year in a public school in Corvallis, and then moved on to become an instructor of elocution in St. Helen's Hall, Portland.<ref>"Miss Maud Hoffman, a Webfoot [Oregonian] Juliet," ''The Oregonian'' (June 4, 1893): 13.</ref>		At the age of 17, Maud enrolled in a two-year course at a California finishing school, followed by a season in New York studying elocution. She taught for a year in a public school in Corvallis, and then moved on to become an instructor of elocution in St. Helen's Hall, Portland.<ref>"Miss Maud Hoffman, a Webfoot [Oregonian] Juliet," ''The Oregonian'' (June 4, 1893): 13.</ref>

	[[File:Maud Hoffman portrait by W and D Downey.png\|right\|160 px\|thumb\|Portrait by W. & D. Downey]]		[[File:Maud Hoffman portrait by W and D Downey.png\|right\|160 px\|thumb\|Portrait by W. & D. Downey]]

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	In 1931, Miss Hoffman was a participant in the '''Centennial Conference''' in London held to honor the birth of [[Theosophical Society]] founder [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky]]. The conference was an attempt proposed by [[Gottfried de Purucker]] to bridge gaps in the fractured [[Theosophical Movement]] in order to restore a sense of brotherhood and unity. Miss Hoffman was invited as an independent Theosophist of England.<ref>Anonymous, "In the Future - a Spiritual Brotherhood" ''The Eclectic Theosophist'' no.20 (Jan 15, 1974): 1.</ref>		In 1931, Miss Hoffman was a participant in the '''Centennial Conference''' in London held to honor the birth of [[Theosophical Society]] founder [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky]]. The conference was an attempt proposed by [[Gottfried de Purucker]] to bridge gaps in the fractured [[Theosophical Movement]] in order to restore a sense of brotherhood and unity. Miss Hoffman was invited as an independent Theosophist of England.<ref>Anonymous, "In the Future - a Spiritual Brotherhood" ''The Eclectic Theosophist'' no.20 (Jan 15, 1974): 1.</ref>

			== War work ==

			Miss Hoffman was living near Hastings in England during the First World War, having retired from acting. She was interviewed for a Portland, Oregon newspaper:
			<blockquote>
			We all do various war jobs. I have been engaged with the sending of reading matter to the front. I am doing a good deal of literary work lately. But nothing in the way of books can be sent abroad now. Many of my friends are doing special constable work. Everybody is doing something.<ref>"Ex-Oregon Woman, Retired from Stage, Does War Work" ''The Oregon Sunday Journal'' (October 28, 1917): 1.</ref>
			</blockquote>

			She went on to offer assistance to Oregon soldiers who were traveling through England or who were recovering from injuries.

	== Connection to Gurdjieff ==		== Connection to Gurdjieff ==

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Theatrical career

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	She applied to E. S. Willard for understudy work, and joined his company for the season of 1891-1892, and held the role of Player Queen in ''Hamlet''. Later she worked with the Augustin Daly company.<ref>Untitled column, ''Logansport Pharos-Tribune'' (November 16, 1897): 18.</ref>		She applied to E. S. Willard for understudy work, and joined his company for the season of 1891-1892, and held the role of Player Queen in ''Hamlet''. Later she worked with the Augustin Daly company.<ref>Untitled column, ''Logansport Pharos-Tribune'' (November 16, 1897): 18.</ref> She also performed as Calpurnia in ''Julius Caesar'', and had roles in ''Great Ruby'', ''Dandy Dick'', ''Cipher Code'', ''New England Folks'', and ''Colorado''.<ref>"Miss Hoffman is a Coming Star" ''Philadelphia Inquirer'' no.148 (February 15, 1903): 9,</ref>

	American newspapers continued to follow her career after she moved to London around 1895 to join Wilson Barrett's theatre troupe, where she took on roles as Juliet, Ophelia, Desdemona, and Berenice in ''The Sign of the Cross.'' News agencies like the Associated Press covered her activities, and even small regional papers, such as the ''Logansport Pharos-Tribune'' in Indiana, published substantial stories about her.		American newspapers continued to follow her career after she moved to London around 1895 to join Wilson Barrett's theatre troupe, where she took on roles as Juliet, Ophelia, Desdemona, and Berenice in ''The Sign of the Cross.'' News agencies like the Associated Press covered her activities, and even small regional papers, such as the ''Logansport Pharos-Tribune'' in Indiana, published substantial stories about her.

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Theatrical career

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	At the age of 17, Maud enrolled in a two-year course at a California university, followed by a season in New York studying elocution. She taught for a year in a public school in Corvallis, and then moved on to become an instructor of elocution in St. Helen's Hall, Portland.<ref>"Miss Maud Hoffman, a Webfoot [Oregonian] Juliet," ''The Oregonian'' (June 4, 1893): 13.</ref>		At the age of 17, Maud enrolled in a two-year course at a California university, followed by a season in New York studying elocution. She taught for a year in a public school in Corvallis, and then moved on to become an instructor of elocution in St. Helen's Hall, Portland.<ref>"Miss Maud Hoffman, a Webfoot [Oregonian] Juliet," ''The Oregonian'' (June 4, 1893): 13.</ref>

			[[File:Maud Hoffman portrait by W and D Downey.png\|right\|160 px\|thumb\|Portrait by W. & D. Downey]]
	== Theatrical career ==		== Theatrical career ==
	[[File:Maud Hoffman ~~portrait by W and D Downey~~.png\|right\|~~160 px~~\|thumb\|~~Portrait by W. & D. Downey~~]]		[[File:Maud Hoffman, 1903.png\|right\|140px\|thumb\|Circa 1903]]
	Maud was not trained as an actress before she took on her first role, but somehow she was cast as Juliet and made a noteworthy debut in Boston:		Maud was not trained as an actress before she took on her first role, but somehow she was cast as Juliet and made a noteworthy debut in Boston:
	<blockquote>		<blockquote>

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Personal life

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	'''Maud Hoffman''' (1869-1953) was an American Theosophist and actress who was heir to the estate of [[A. P. Sinnett]]. She entrusted [[A. Trevor Barker]] with the task of publishing [[The Mahatma Letters to A. P. Sinnett (book)\|''The Mahatma Letters to A. P. Sinnett'']] and [[The Letters of H. P. Blavatsky to A. P. Sinnett (book)\|''The Letters of H. P. Blavatsky to A. P. Sinnett'']], both based on correspondence from the Sinnett estate.		'''Maud Hoffman''' (1869-1953) was an American Theosophist and actress who was heir to the estate of [[A. P. Sinnett]]. She entrusted [[A. Trevor Barker]] with the task of publishing [[The Mahatma Letters to A. P. Sinnett (book)\|''The Mahatma Letters to A. P. Sinnett'']] and [[The Letters of H. P. Blavatsky to A. P. Sinnett (book)\|''The Letters of H. P. Blavatsky to A. P. Sinnett'']], both based on correspondence from the Sinnett estate.

	== ~~Personal~~ life ==		== Early life ==

	At the age of 17, Maud enrolled in a two-year course at a California university, followed by a season in New York studying elocution. She taught for a year in a public school in Corvallis, and then moved on to become an instructor of elocution in St. Helen's Hall, Portland.<ref>"Miss Maud Hoffman, a Webfoot [Oregonian] Juliet," ''The Oregonian'' (June 4, 1893): 13.</ref>		Maud was born as the daughter of John T. Plummer and Martha Plummer in Indianapolis, Indiana in November, 1869. John was a letter carrier. By 1880, Martha and Maud were living in Kansas City.

			At the age of 17, Maud enrolled in a two-year course at a California university, followed by a season in New York studying elocution. She taught for a year in a public school in Corvallis, and then moved on to become an instructor of elocution in St. Helen's Hall, Portland.<ref>"Miss Maud Hoffman, a Webfoot [Oregonian] Juliet," ''The Oregonian'' (June 4, 1893): 13.</ref>

	== Theatrical career ==		== Theatrical career ==

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	== Connection to Gurdjieff ==		== Connection to Gurdjieff ==

	Maud Hoffman and [[A. Trevor Barker]] became students of ~~[[G~~. I. Gurdjieff~~]] in 1922~~.		In October, 1921, [[P. D. Ouspensky]] was in London lecturing on the teachings of [[G. I. Gurdjieff]]. Maud Hoffman and [[A. Trevor Barker]] became students of Ouspensky, until they heard Gurdjieff himself speaking at the Theosophical Society's rooms on February 13, 1922. At that point they became pupils of Gurdjieff, along with their friends Dr. Maurice Nicoll and Dr. James Young.<ref>Seymour B. Ginsburg, "A Teacher of Dancing: The Mahatma Letters and Gurdjieff" ''The Quest'' 103 no.2 (April, 2015): 59.</ref>

	<blockquote>		<blockquote>
	They went with him to Fountainebleau in France to help prepare his occult school, known as the Prieuré, to receive students... While studying at the Prieuré, these two pupils of Gurdjieff were working on the transcription, editing, compilation, and publication of what became known as the Mahatma Letters.<ref>Seymour B. Ginsburg, "The Task of Becoming Sixth-Race Man" ''The Quest'' 99 no.4 *October, 2011): 141.</ref>		They [Hoffman and Barker] went with him [Gurdjieff] to Fountainebleau in France to help prepare his occult school, known as the Prieuré, to receive students... While studying at the Prieuré, these two pupils of Gurdjieff were working on the transcription, editing, compilation, and publication of what became known as the Mahatma Letters.<ref>Seymour B. Ginsburg, "The Task of Becoming Sixth-Race Man" ''The Quest'' 99 no.4 *October, 2011): 141.</ref>
	</blockquote>		</blockquote>

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	They went with him to Fountainebleau in France to help prepare his occult school, known as the Prieuré, to receive students... While studying at the Prieuré, these two pupils of Gurdjieff were working on the transcription, editing, compilation, and publication of what became known as the Mahatma Letters.<ref>Seymour B. Ginsburg, "The Task of Becoming Sixth-Race Man" ''The Quest'' 99 no.4 *October, 2011): 141.</ref>		They went with him to Fountainebleau in France to help prepare his occult school, known as the Prieuré, to receive students... While studying at the Prieuré, these two pupils of Gurdjieff were working on the transcription, editing, compilation, and publication of what became known as the Mahatma Letters.<ref>Seymour B. Ginsburg, "The Task of Becoming Sixth-Race Man" ''The Quest'' 99 no.4 *October, 2011): 141.</ref>
	</blockquote>		</blockquote>

			After the letters were published in December, 1923, Miss Hoffman "continued as a residential pupil into 1924."<ref>Seymour B. Ginsburg, "A Teacher of Dancing: The Mahatma Letters and Gurdjieff" ''The Quest'' 103 no.2 (April, 2015): 58.</ref>

	== Writings ==		== Writings ==

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Theosophical Society activities

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	== Theosophical Society activities ==		== Theosophical Society activities ==
	[[File:Maud Hoffman postcard.jpg\|right\|220px\|thumb\|Maud Hoffman in photographic postcard]]		[[File:Maud Hoffman postcard.jpg\|right\|220px\|thumb\|Maud Hoffman in photographic postcard]]
	Maud Hoffmann joined [[Theosophical Society (Adyar)\|Theosophical Society's]] [[Blavatsky Lodge\|H.P.B. Lodge]] in London on January 6, 1909.<ref>Theosophical Society General Membership Register, 1875-1942 at [http://tsmembers.org/ http://tsmembers.org/]. See book 3, entry 38033 (website file: 3D/37).</ref> She seems to have been active in her lodge, lecturing and training lecturers.<ref>"Lecturers' Classes"		Maud Hoffmann joined [[Theosophical Society (Adyar)\|Theosophical Society's]] [[Blavatsky Lodge\|H.P.B. Lodge]] in London on January 6, 1909.<ref>Theosophical Society General Membership Register, 1875-1942 at [http://tsmembers.org/ http://tsmembers.org/]. See book 3, entry 38033 (website file: 3D/37).</ref> She seems to have been active in her lodge, lecturing and training lecturers.<ref>"Lecturers' Classes" ''The Vahan'' 22 no.8 (March, 1913): 185.</ref> London Theosophists were certainly very important in her life; she shared rooms with [[Mabel Collins]] and was a dear friend of [[Alfred Percy Sinnett]].
	''The Vahan'' 22 no.8 (March, 1913): 185.</ref>

	[[Curuppumullage Jinarājadāsa\|Mr. Jinarājadāsa]] wrote of her involvement with [[A. P. Sinnett]] and the '''Mahatma Letters''' that were published by her agency in 1923:		[[Curuppumullage Jinarājadāsa\|Mr. Jinarājadāsa]] wrote of her involvement with [[A. P. Sinnett]] and the '''Mahatma Letters''' that were published by her agency in 1923: