Aleister Crowley, whose real name was Edward Alexander Crowley (Leamington Spa, October 12, 1875 – Hastings, December 1, 1947), was a British artist, poet, mystic, mountaineer, thinker, social critic, and occultist.
A highly controversial figure, he is regarded by some as the founder of modern occultism, while others see him as one of the principal exponents of a certain satanism. A man of great culture, he is considered a key figure in the history of new magical movements. Crowley is credited with the greatest attempt to create a "magical religion" for the contemporary era, and his influence on the contemporary magical environment has been significant.
Edward Alexander Crowley was born at 36 Clarendon Square in Royal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, England, between 11:00 PM and midnight on October 12, 1875.
His father, Edward Crowley, studied to be an engineer but never practiced the profession, confining himself to the lucrative family business of brewing. Both of his parents were members of an evangelical Christian grouping, but despite this, young Edward Alexander had the opportunity to become acquainted with and appreciate the graphic works of Aubrey Beardsley.
Crowley grew up in a strongly religious context, to the point that the only individuals with whom children were allowed to interact were those with whom the Crowleys shared their religious faith. In particular, the father endlessly preached his doctrine, authored several popular texts, and studied the scriptures daily, obliging his son to participate in his activities.
On February 29, 1880, the Crowleys gave birth to a girl named Grace Mary Elizabeth; unfortunately, the future Aleister’s sister passed away just 5 hours after childbirth. Crowley saw his sister's lifeless body and years later would recall the event as follows (writing in the third person):
(EN)
"The incident made a curious impression on him. He did not see why he should be disturbed so uselessly. He couldn't do any good; the child was dead; it was none of his business. This attitude continued through his life. He has never attended any funeral but that of his father, which he did not mind doing, as he felt himself to be the real centre of interest."
(IT)
« L'avvenimento ebbe un curioso effetto su di lui. Non capì perché dovesse esserne disturbato così inutilmente. Egli non avrebbe potuto fare alcunché di buono; la bambina era morta; non erano affari suoi. Questa disposizione d'animo persistette nella sua vita. Egli non assistette mai a nessun funerale, eccetto quello di suo padre, di cui non gli importò di farlo, giacché sentiva essere sé stesso il vero nucleo dell'interesse. »
(Aleister Crowley)
On March 5, 1887, Edward Alexander lost his father to tongue cancer. This was a crucial point in Crowley’s life; after this event, he began to write in the first person in his memoirs.
After his father's death, Crowley became withdrawn, increasingly distancing himself from religious teachings, and his mother's incessant attempts to make him revert only increased his skepticism. Emily Bertha Bishop began to scold her son for his rebellious attitudes, even going so far as to call him "the Beast" (from the Book of Revelation, a nickname that the future Aleister would adopt). During this time, Crowley realized that many of the activities his mother termed "sinful" actually attracted him.
University [edit]
After attending Malvern College and Tonbridge School, in 1895 he enrolled at Trinity College, University of Cambridge, intending to study philosophy, but later chose (on the advice of a tutor) to study English literature. The three years spent at Cambridge were particularly pleasant and joyful, in part because Crowley could enjoy his substantial inheritance from his father.
During this time, he completely broke with religion, writing:
(EN)
"The Church of England [...] had seemed a narrow tyranny, as detestable as that of the Plymouth Brethren; less logical and more hypocritical."
(IT)
« La Chiesa Anglica
