Ukrainian-Russian-born scholar of ancient wisdom literature
1831 CE
to 1891 CE
Helena Petrovna Blavatsky (born as Helena Gan (12 August [O.S.
31 July] 1831 – 8 May 1891) os a scholar of ancient wisdom literature who, along with H. S. Olcott and Anagarika Dharmapala, was instrumental in the Western transmission and revival of Theravada Buddhism.
In 1875, Blavatsky and Olcott establish a research and publishing institute called the Theosophical Society.
Blavatsky defines Theosophy as "the archaic Wisdom-Religion, the esoteric doctrine once known in every ancient country having claims to civilization."
Blavatsky's extensive research into the many different spiritual traditions of the world lead to the publication of what is now considered her magnus opus, The Secret Doctrine, which collates and organizes the essence of these teachings into a comprehensive synthesis.
Blavatsky sees herself as a missionary of this ancient knowledge and one of the main purposes of the Theosophical Society is “to form a nucleus of the Universal Brotherhood of Humanity, without distinction of race, creed, sex, caste or color”.
(Volume I, The Theosophist, page 89) Blavatsky's other works include Isis Unveiled, The Key to Theosophy and The Voice of the Silence.
Blavatsky is a leading name in the New Age Movement.