Mary Rocke

Dr. Mary Rocke in Adyar, 1925

Dr. Mary E, Rocke was a physician who was active in the Theosophical Society based in Adyar, India. She spent many years at The Manor in Australia, attending to C. W. Leadbeater.

Early life and education

Mary Eleanor Rocke was born in 1865 in Wrexham, Denbighshiree, Wales to Charles and Elizabeth Rocke.

She undertook medical training at the London School of Medicine for Women... In 1900 she was awarded the Licence of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, and the Licence of theRoyal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.

Medical career

Dr. Rocke practices medicine in London, as a gynaecologist.

Theosophical Society involvement

Dr. Rocke was admitted to membership in the Theosophical Society in Blavatsky Lodge on October 9, 1909. She was the physician to Annie Besant, president of the Theosophical Society, and became her private secretary for some years. She had been present at the TS international headquarters in Adyar when Charles Webster Leadbeater first saw the 13-year-old Jiddu Krishnamurti playing on the beach and recognized his potential as a spiritual leader.

Clara Codd account

Clara Codd, who studied at Adyar from 1910-1911, wrote that the stimulation of being there often caused residents to become irritable or depressed. "Dr. Mary Rocke, a missionary doctor, who suddenly arrived to visit us, was a victim of the depression wave. She had to leave, but came back later. She had not been a member of the Society for a year, when the Master K.H. put her on probation. A charming Scots lady, normally gentle and sweet, suddenly grew so dictatorial and managing that we all had to laugh! It was so unlike her usual self We used to call such manifestations 'Adyaritis'."

Years in Australia

Dr. Rocke was heavily engaged with the Order of the Star in the East, and served with T. H. Martyn as co-editor of The Star in the East, Australian Division, 1918-1926.

When visiting London, she stayed with George Rocke at Ivy Lodge, Hampstead Heath.

Final years

Dr. Rocke remained in Sydney in her later years, but travelled frequently. She visited Hong Kong in 1925, joining other Theosophists like Annie Besant, Max Wardall, Irving S. Cooper, Flora Menzel, Jennie Doulgas, Mr. H. Cassell, Professor H. van Labberton, Professor R. K. Kulkarni to conduct 48 public lectures and 107 meetings. She spent establishing a Star center at the Hong Kong Lodge, giving talks and providing literature about the Order of the Star in the East and the Liberal Catholic Church.

In July 1926, in Amsterdam, she addressed the Medical Week of the Summer School of the International University Association. That year she accepted an appointment from Krishnamurti to take charge of Castle Eerde, world headquarters of the OSE, during the months when he was away. She was to be assisted by Mr. and Mrs. Christie of Scotland, Mr. Arthur Ingleman of Sweden, Miss Dijkgraaf of Holland, Baron Philip von Pallandt, and Miss Susan Ganz of Germany.

in 1927, while travelling to Australia with Annie Besant, the Jinarajadasas, and Jiddu Krishnamurti on the P. & O. liner China, Dr. Rocke fell down a companionway [steep steps], "overcome by an attack of cerebral hemorhage." She died instantaneously. She had been travelling second class, while they were in first class, so they did not hear immediately about her demise. Her body was buried at sea. "A requiem eucharist was celebrated on Sunday [October 23rd] at St. Alban's Liberal Catholic Church, Regent-street, of which she was formerly a member."

Writings

She wrote 21 articles under the name Mary Rocke in several other Theosophical magazines], according to the Union Index of Theosophical Periodicals, which also has 5 articles about her.