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British author, founder of the Aetherius Society (1919–1997) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
George King (January 23, 1919, Wellington, Shropshire – July 12, 1997, Santa Barbara, California) was a British author, esotericist, and spiritual figure who founded the Aetherius Society, a new religious movement, during the mid-1950s.
George King | |
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| Born | January 23, 1919 Wellington, Shropshire, England, United Kingdom |
| Died | July 12, 1997 (aged 78) Santa Barbara, California, United States |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation(s) | Writer and founder of the Aetherius Society |
| Years active | 1954–1997 |
| Known for | Aetherius Society |
| Notable work | Contact Your Higher Self Through Yoga (1955) The Twelve Blessings (1962) The Nine Freedoms (1963) |
George King was born on January 23, 1919, in Wellington, Shropshire, England and brought up in a protestant family with strong occult interests.[1][2][3] His father (also called George King) was a school teacher and mother Mary a nurse and later small business owner. The family relocated on several occasions as his father sought better appointments, settling for a period in North Yorkshire. King was educated at Guisborough Grammar School. In 1937 King at the age of 18 left the family home and moved to London. Led by his belief in pacifism he became a conscientious objector during the Second World War, serving in the Auxiliary Fire Service. Later he worked as a chauffeur and security officer.
As a youth and young man King studied theosophy, spiritualism, anthroposophy, rosicrucianism and yoga.[4] In 1954, he claimed that a voice told him "Prepare yourself! You are to become the voice of Interplanetary Parliament".[5] Afterwards in 1955, he founded the Aetherius Society and published the book Contact Your Higher Self Through Yoga.[6] In 1959 he was interviewed on BBC television about his beliefs and experiences.[7] During the Cold War era he was under covert surveillance by Scotland Yard who suspected he was leading a communist front organisation.[8]
George King died in Santa Barbara, California, on July 12, 1997, at the age of 78, according to the Aetherius Society.[9] However, his death was not reported in major newspapers.
King has been described as a mystagogue and a religious virtuoso in the manner he formed and led the development of the Aetherius Society as a 'magico-religious' organisation.[10]
His claims have been denounced as pseudoscience by skeptics such as James Randi.[11]
Selected writings:[12]
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