Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers

From SourceryForge

Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers, born as Samuel Liddell Mathers in London in January 1854 and died in November 1918, was a famous magician and one of the most influential figures in modern Occultism. He is mostly known as a founder of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, a magical organisation which doesn't exist today, although several modern fraternities claim to continue its tradition.

He was born on January 8 or January 11, 1854 in London, England, under the astrological sign of Capricorn. His father was William M. Mathers, who died while Samuel Liddell was still a boy, and his mother's maiden name was Collins, who died in 1885. He attended the Bedford Grammar School and he added the "MacGregor" surname to his name as a claim of Highland Scottish blood.

S. L. MacGregor Mathers was an eccentric person who liked to live a healthy life as a vegetarian or vegan, anti-vivisectionist, and non-smoker. He was also a supporter of women's rights and he had little interest in money (according to the Golden Dawn Research Center). It is known that his main interests were magic and the theory of war (his first book was a military manual).

Mathers was initiated in Masonry on October 4, 1877. On January 30, 1878 he became a Master Mason and in 1882 he was admitted in Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia where he became a member of its High Council within four years.

His wife was Moina Bergson (also known as Mina Bergson, Moina Mathers, Mina Mathers).

Mathers knew how to read and translate a number of languages, namely English, French, Latin, Greek, Hebrew, Celtic and Coptic.

Among many supporters, he also had many enemies and critics. One of his most notable enemies was Aleister Crowley.

Mathers died on November 5 or November 20, 1918. The way he died is unknown, and his death certificate does not give any cause of death. Violet Firth (Dion Fortune) claimed his death to be a result of the Spanish Influenza of 1918. As few facts are known about Mather's private life, verification of such claims are very difficult.