Hilda Wood
Hilda Wood (November 17, 1894 - December 14, 1968) was an English author, artist, educator, and Theosophist. She was also known for her educational work in India and the United States alongside her husband, the renowned Theosophical author and Sanskrit scholar Ernest Wood.
Life and career
Hilda Wood, née Larmuth, was born on November 17, 1894 in Pendleton near Salford, Greater Manchester, England, into a theosophical family. Her parents were Mathew Henry and Annie Larmuth. Her father, a member of the engineering firm Messrs. Larmuth and Co, was president of the Manchester City Lodge of the Theosophical Society and an earnest student of occult matters, as well as a member of the Manchester Psychical Research Society.[1][2]
After his death in 1908, Hilda and her mother traveled to Madras, India, in 1914.
She married Ernest Wood on April 17, 1916 in Pallavaram, Madras, India.[3] From that point onward, they worked closely together on all their endeavors, as well as Hilda assisted her husband with the research for many of his 35 published books.[4]
In India, they worked extensively with marginalized communities, including those then referred to as “untouchables.”[5] In the early 1930s, she organized the Village Improvement Society to work in the Indian village south of the T.S. grounds, which is a “no caste” community, and many of the residents work for the Society.[6] Between 1939 and 1948, they also assisted Maria Montessori in establishing Montessori schools in India.[7]
During this period, they toured various countries around the world with the aim of disseminating theosophical teachings, including a visit to Chile in 1923.[8]
In 1947, after more than 30 years in India, they moved to the United States. In 1959, following Ernest’s retirement as president and dean of the American Academy of Asian Studies at the College of the Pacific in San Francisco, they settled in Houston, Texas, which became their home for the remainder of their lives.
In Houston, Hilda and Ernest became active members of the Unitarian Fellowship of Houston. Hilda devoted herself to developing the Fellowship’s library and began advocating for the creation of a Montessori school, while Ernest was often invited to give inspirational talks.[9]
They introduced Montessori principles to the Fellowship community and obtained the necessary materials from India and England. As a result, a Montessori school opened in the fall of 1962 on the Fellowship’s grounds, with Ernest serving as president of the Board of Trustees. Both remained involved with the school until the end of their lives, and, as a mark of respect, it was named the “School of the Woods.”[10] The cottage they occupied during their final years now serves as the school’s development office.
Hilda Wood died of cancer on December 14, 1968, three years after her husband’s death. In accordance with her wishes, she donated her body to Baylor College of Medicine. She remained a British subject throughout her life.[11] [12]
Writings
As a writer and educator, Hilda Wood published two children’s books retelling stories drawn from world folklore, particularly from the Kalevala, and illustrated both with her own drawings. She also contributed articles to Theosophical publications and wrote editorials for some of her husband’s books. The Union Index of Theosophical Periodicals lists 15 materials by Hilda Wood.
Books
- Ivory Gates and Golden Adyar, Madras, Theosophical Publishing House, 1926. 164 pages "With 50 drawings by the author". Reprinted in 1927 as "Second edition" [i.e. printing].
A budget of wonder stories for children young and old. Illustrated with forty-five drawings by the author. These stories are full of action and sparkle, suited to the modern child, and contain all the theosophical truths, interwoven in a delightful manner.
"Some night when the sun in darkness dips,
We’II seek that dreamland olden,
And you shall touch with your finger tips
The Ivory Gates and Golden.”[13]
- The Three Heroes of Finland and other stories. Manchester, Bethel & Co., [1926]. "With 50 drawings by the author"
<The book> Contains seven stories from the ancient, mystical and magical folklore of Finland, gathered into the Kalevala by the immortal poet Lonnrot. Mrs. Wood has written the stories in a form suitable for children and illustrated the book with fifty drawings of her own, five of which are after the pictures of the famous artist Gallen. Madame Blavatsky refers to the rich symbolism of the stories in several places in The Secret Doctrine, Vol. II.[14]
Notes
- ↑ Obituary. Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser, 6 Apr 1908, in: UK and Ireland, Newspapers.com™ Obituary Index, 1800s-current, at Ancestry.com
- ↑ Texas, U.S., Death Certificates, 1903-1982. Certificate of Death no. 86816.
- ↑ California, U.S., Federal Naturalization Records, 1888-1991. Declarations of Intention, No. 132021.
- ↑ “Rites Monday for Mrs. Wood,” The Houston Chronicle, Sun, Dec 15, 1968: sec.3, page 7
- ↑ “Founder Of Montessori School Dies,” The Houston Post, Sun, Dec 15, 1968: 9.
- ↑ Rogers, L.W., Personal Opinions, The American Theosophist, 21-2 (Feb 1933): 32.
- ↑ Ernest Wood, in Wikipedia.
- ↑ C.R.L. Chile, Theosophy In, available at Theosophy.World
- ↑ Ernest Wood, in Wikipedia.
- ↑ A Brief History of School of the Woods (Established 1962), School of the Woods website (accessed 01/18/2026).
- ↑ “Founder Of Montessori School Dies,” The Houston Post, Sun, Dec 15, 1968: 9.
- ↑ “Rites Monday for Mrs. Wood,” The Houston Chronicle, Sun, Dec 15, 1968: sec.3, page 7
- ↑ Children's books, The Theosophical Messenger, 17-11 (Nov 1929): 255
- ↑ Ibid.
