Walter A. Carrithers, Jr. - Revision history

SysopJ: /* Death */

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Death

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	=== Death ===		=== Death ===

	Walter’s health was never robust, and around 1980-1981 he applied for disability and public assistance. He died of heart failure in Fresno on or about August 21, 1994. He was found by the police about three days after his death. Tributes were written in ''The High Country Theosophist'' by John Cooper and in the Preface to the online edition of ''Obituary: "The Hodgson Report"'', published by The Blavatsky Foundation.		Walter’s health was never robust, and around 1980-1981 he applied for disability and public assistance. He died of heart failure in Fresno on or about August 21, 1994. He was found by the police about three days after his death. Tributes were written in ''The High Country Theosophist'' by John Cooper and in the Preface to the online edition of ''Obituary: "The Hodgson Report" on Madame Blavatsky'', published by The Blavatsky Foundation.

	== Work in defending H. P. Blavatsky ==		== Work in defending H. P. Blavatsky ==

SysopJ: /* Work in defending H. P. Blavatsky */

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Work in defending H. P. Blavatsky

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	Most of Carrithers' life work lay in defending [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky]] (HPB), cofounder of the [[Theosophical Society]] in 1875. Madame Blavatsky was accused of fraud, deceit, espionage, and other things by detractors from 1875 until the end of the end of her life in 1891, and for many decades afterward. The English Raj in India accused her of spying for the Russians. Spiritualists believed she was faking the [[phenomena]] that she produced. Her colorful narratives and inconsistency in relating her personal history often led to allegations that she was was deceitful. Despite her kind actions, the brusque manner of her speech offended some. [[Richard Hodgson]] of the [[Society for Psychical Research]] in London went to Theosophical Society headquarters at Adyar, Madras, India in 1884 to conduct an investigation that turned into a media circus.		Most of Carrithers' life work lay in defending [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky]] (HPB), cofounder of the [[Theosophical Society]] in 1875. Madame Blavatsky was accused of fraud, deceit, espionage, and other things by detractors from 1875 until the end of the end of her life in 1891, and for many decades afterward. The English Raj in India accused her of spying for the Russians. Spiritualists believed she was faking the [[phenomena]] that she produced. Her colorful narratives and inconsistency in relating her personal history often led to allegations that she was was deceitful. Despite her kind actions, the brusque manner of her speech offended some. [[Richard Hodgson]] of the [[Society for Psychical Research]] in London went to Theosophical Society headquarters at Adyar, Madras, India in 1884 to conduct an investigation that turned into a media circus.

	Carrithers was triggered by the Blavatsky biography ''Priestess of the Occult'' published by Gertrude Marvin Williams in 1946. That author was inclined to believe the worst about HPB, using sarcastic chapter titles such as "Danse Macabre," "Hoodoo Years," and "Necromancy, Inc." Her writing was sensationalistic and ~~sarcastic~~, inventing dialogue freely, and putting the worst possible construction on facts presented. Carrithers set to work to dispute Williams' numerous errors of fact and interpretation.		Carrithers was triggered by the Blavatsky biography ''Priestess of the Occult'' published by Gertrude Marvin Williams in 1946. That author was inclined to believe the worst about HPB, using sarcastic chapter titles such as "Danse Macabre," "Hoodoo Years," and "Necromancy, Inc." Her writing was sensationalistic and provocative, inventing dialogue freely, and putting the worst possible construction on facts presented. Carrithers set to work to dispute Williams' numerous errors of fact and interpretation.

	=== ''The Truth about Madame Blavatsky'' ===		=== ''The Truth about Madame Blavatsky'' ===

SysopJ: /* Death */

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Death

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	=== Death ===		=== Death ===

	Walter’s health was never robust, and around 1980-1981 he applied for disability and public assistance. He died of heart failure in Fresno on or about August 21, 1994. He was found by the police about three days after his death. Tributes were written in ''The High Country Theosophist'' by John Cooper and in the Preface to the online edition of ''Obituary: "The Hodgson Report'', published by The Blavatsky Foundation.		Walter’s health was never robust, and around 1980-1981 he applied for disability and public assistance. He died of heart failure in Fresno on or about August 21, 1994. He was found by the police about three days after his death. Tributes were written in ''The High Country Theosophist'' by John Cooper and in the Preface to the online edition of ''Obituary: "The Hodgson Report"'', published by The Blavatsky Foundation.

	== Work in defending H. P. Blavatsky ==		== Work in defending H. P. Blavatsky ==

SysopJ at 14:42, 22 November 2023

2023-11-22T14:42:46Z

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	[[Category:People\|Carrithers, Walter A]]		[[Category:People\|Carrithers, Walter A]]
	[[Category:Independent\|Carrithers, Walter A]]		[[Category:Independent\|Carrithers, Walter A]]
			[[Category:SPR members\|Carrithers, Walter A]]

SysopJ: /* Archival collections */

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Archival collections

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	=== Archival collections ===		=== Archival collections ===

	* '''~~[https://theosophy.wiki/en/images/5/58/25.26_Finding_Aid_for_Walter_A_Carrithers_Jr_Papers.pdf~~ Walter A. Carrithers, Jr. Papers]''', Records Series 25.26, Theosophical Society in America Archives. This archival collection includes some Blavatsky Foundation records, the extensive correspondence of Walter A. Carrithers, Jr., and notes related to his writings.		* '''Walter A. Carrithers, Jr. Papers''', Records Series 25.26, Theosophical Society in America Archives. This archival collection includes some Blavatsky Foundation records, the extensive correspondence of Walter A. Carrithers, Jr., and notes related to his writings.
	* '''Boris de Zirkoff Papers''', Records Series 22, Theosophical Society in America Archives. Walter A. Carrithers, Jr. conducted an extensive correspondence with Boris de Zirkoff.		* '''Boris de Zirkoff Papers''', Records Series 22, Theosophical Society in America Archives. Walter A. Carrithers, Jr. conducted an extensive correspondence with Boris de Zirkoff.
	* '''Sidney A. Cook Papers''', Records Series 08.05, Theosophical Society in America Archives. The presidential papers of Sidney A Cook include some correspondence with or about Carrithers.		* '''Sidney A. Cook Papers''', Records Series 08.05, Theosophical Society in America Archives. The presidential papers of Sidney A Cook include some correspondence with or about Carrithers.

SysopJ: /* Archival collections */

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Archival collections

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	=== Archival collections ===		=== Archival collections ===

	* '''Walter A. Carrithers, Jr. Papers''', Records Series 25.26, Theosophical Society in America Archives. This archival collection includes some Blavatsky Foundation records, the extensive correspondence of Walter A. Carrithers, Jr., and notes related to his writings.		* '''[https://theosophy.wiki/en/images/5/58/25.26_Finding_Aid_for_Walter_A_Carrithers_Jr_Papers.pdf Walter A. Carrithers, Jr. Papers]''', Records Series 25.26, Theosophical Society in America Archives. This archival collection includes some Blavatsky Foundation records, the extensive correspondence of Walter A. Carrithers, Jr., and notes related to his writings.
	* '''Boris de Zirkoff Papers''', Records Series 22, Theosophical Society in America Archives. Walter A. Carrithers, Jr. conducted an extensive correspondence with Boris de Zirkoff.		* '''Boris de Zirkoff Papers''', Records Series 22, Theosophical Society in America Archives. Walter A. Carrithers, Jr. conducted an extensive correspondence with Boris de Zirkoff.
	* '''Sidney A. Cook Papers''', Records Series 08.05, Theosophical Society in America Archives. The presidential papers of Sidney A Cook include some correspondence with or about Carrithers.		* '''Sidney A. Cook Papers''', Records Series 08.05, Theosophical Society in America Archives. The presidential papers of Sidney A Cook include some correspondence with or about Carrithers.

SysopJ at 20:39, 11 January 2023

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	[[File:W. A. Carrithers.gif\|right\|190px\|thumb\|W. A. Carrithers at a young age]] '''Walter Adley Carrithers''' ([[August 14]], 1924 - ca. [[August 21]], 1994) was a Theosophical historian in Fresno, California. Using the pen name of '''Adlai E. Waterman''', he wrote the book, '''''Obituary: the “Hodgson Report” on Madame Blavatsky 1885-1960''''', in which he reveals that the research of [[Richard Hodgson]] into the activities of [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky]] was biased and defective.		[[File:W. A. Carrithers.gif\|right\|190px\|thumb\|W. A. Carrithers at a young age]] '''Walter Adley Carrithers, Jr.''' ([[August 14]], 1924 - ca. [[August 21]], 1994) was a Theosophical historian in Fresno, California. Using the pen name of '''Adlai E. Waterman''', he wrote the book, '''''Obituary: the “Hodgson Report” on Madame Blavatsky 1885-1960''''', in which he reveals that the research of [[Richard Hodgson]] into the activities of [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky]] was biased and defective.

	He formed '''[[Blavatsky Foundation\|The Blavatsky Foundation]]''' to perpetuate public knowledge of the life and works of [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky]].		He formed '''[[Blavatsky Foundation\|The Blavatsky Foundation]]''' to perpetuate public knowledge of the life and works of [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky]].

SysopJ: /* Personal life */

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Personal life

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	In 1944 Walter Jr. took a job as mayonnaise cook at Coleman Products, and stayed there until 1951. After that point, the family struggled financially, since the father had retired from his government job, and Nathan was in the Army. In 1957 Walter Jr. offered astrological readings, advertising in Astrology Guide, but that never generated much income, if any. From 1964-1980 Walter had a typesetting business called Manuscript Typing Service, later known as Textset Col-Type Service.		In 1944 Walter Jr. took a job as mayonnaise cook at Coleman Products, and stayed there until 1951. After that point, the family struggled financially, since the father had retired from his government job, and Nathan was in the Army. In 1957 Walter Jr. offered astrological readings, advertising in Astrology Guide, but that never generated much income, if any. From 1964-1980 Walter had a typesetting business called Manuscript Typing Service, later known as Textset Col-Type Service.

			=== Death ===

			Walter’s health was never robust, and around 1980-1981 he applied for disability and public assistance. He died of heart failure in Fresno on or about August 21, 1994. He was found by the police about three days after his death. Tributes were written in ''The High Country Theosophist'' by John Cooper and in the Preface to the online edition of ''Obituary: "The Hodgson Report'', published by The Blavatsky Foundation.

	== Work in defending H. P. Blavatsky ==		== Work in defending H. P. Blavatsky ==

SysopJ: /* Other interests */

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Other interests

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	Carrithers was a student and practitioner of [[astrology]], and was a member of the American Federation of Astrologers. He and Nathan were keenly interested in photography, and Walter advised [[Sidney A. Cook]] on how to set up a microfilming operation at TS headquarters in Adyar.		Carrithers was a student and practitioner of [[astrology]], and was a member of the American Federation of Astrologers. He and Nathan were keenly interested in photography, and Walter advised [[Sidney A. Cook]] on how to set up a microfilming operation at TS headquarters in Adyar.

	After the major thrust of his HPB defense culminated in the publication of ''Obituary'', he devoted considerable attention to the assassinations of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy in 1963 and his brother Robert Fitzgerald Kennedy in 1968. When the jailed RFK assassin Sirhan Sirhan asked for books written by HPB, the press went wild. American Theosophists like [[Joy Mills]] appeared on television and wrote articles to dispel some of the bad publicity, and Carrithers conducted a major letter-writing campaign in support of HPB, even petitioning the FCC to sanction NBC for its coverage.		After the major thrust of his HPB defense culminated in the publication of ''Obituary'', he devoted considerable attention to the assassinations of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy in 1963 and his brother Robert Fitzgerald Kennedy in 1968. When the jailed RFK assassin Sirhan Sirhan asked for books written by HPB, the press went wild. American Theosophists like [[Joy Mills]] appeared on television and wrote articles to dispel some of the bad publicity, and Carrithers conducted a major letter-writing campaign in support of HPB, even petitioning the FCC to sanction NBC for its coverage.

	~~=== Death ===~~

	Walter’s health was never robust, and around 1980-1981 he applied for disability and public assistance. He died of heart failure in Fresno on or about August 21, 1994. He was found by the police about three days after his death. Tributes were written in ''The High Country Theosophist'' by John Cooper and in the Preface to the online edition of ''Obituary: "The Hodgson Report'', published by The Blavatsky Foundation.

	== Additional resources ==		== Additional resources ==

SysopJ: /* Books */

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Books

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	=== Books ===		=== Books ===
	* '''[http://www.blavatskyfoundation.org/obituary.htm#'''Obituary: The "Hodgson Report" on Madame Blavatsky'']''' by Walter A. Carrithers, Jr.		* Waterman, Adlai E. (Walter A. Carrithers, Jr.) '''[http://www.blavatskyfoundation.org/obituary.htm#'''Obituary: The "Hodgson Report" on Madame Blavatsky'']'''. Adyar, Madras, India: The Theosophical Publishing House, 1963.
			* Waterman, Adlai E. (Walter A. Carrithers, Jr.) '''Madame Blavatsky: The Case for Her Defense Against the Hodgson-Coulomb Attack''', edited and abridged by Daniel H. Caldwell. Fresno: The Blavatsky Foundation, 2017.
	* Meade, Marion. '''''Madame Blavatsky: The Woman Behind the Myth'''''. New York: Putnam, 1980.		* Meade, Marion. '''''Madame Blavatsky: The Woman Behind the Myth'''''. New York: Putnam, 1980.
	* Williams, Gertrude Marvin. '''''[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.178230 Priestess of the Occult]'''''. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1946. This biography is overtly hostile and is known to have numerous errors of fact and interpretation.		* Williams, Gertrude Marvin. '''''[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.178230 Priestess of the Occult]'''''. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1946. This biography is overtly hostile and is known to have numerous errors of fact and interpretation.

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:42, 22 November 2023
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	[[Category:People\|Carrithers, Walter A]]		[[Category:People\|Carrithers, Walter A]]
	[[Category:Independent\|Carrithers, Walter A]]		[[Category:Independent\|Carrithers, Walter A]]
			[[Category:SPR members\|Carrithers, Walter A]]