Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925) was born in the small village of Kraljevec, Austro-Hungarian Empire (now in Croatia), where he grew up. As a young man, he lived in Weimar and Berlin, where he became a well-published scientific, literary, and philosophical scholar, known especially for his work with Goethe's scientific writings. At the beginning of the twentieth century, he began to develop his early philosophical principles into an approach to systematic research into psychological and spiritual phenomena. Formally beginning his spiritual teaching career under the auspices of the Theosophical Society, Steiner came to use the term Anthroposophy (and spiritual science) for his philosophy, spiritual research, and findings. The influence of Steiner's multifaceted genius has led to innovative and holistic approaches in medicine, various therapies, philosophy, religious renewal, Waldorf education, education for special needs, threefold economics, biodynamic agriculture, Goethean science, architecture, and the arts of drama, speech, and eurythmy. In 1924, Rudolf Steiner founded the General Anthroposophical Society, which today has branches throughout the world. He died in Dornach, Switzerland.
Édouard Schuré (1841-1929) was a French writer born in Strasbourg. He was a writer, philosopher, and musicologist. He wrote novels, theater pieces, historical works, poetry, and philosophical treatises. He was especially well known for his work The Great Initiates, which has been in print continuously in numerous languages. He was a devoted and early student of Rudolf Steiner and Anthroposophy. His other books include From Sphinx to Christ: An Occult History and the play The Children of Lucifer.
Bernard J. Garber (1917-1992) was born in Passaic, New Jersey, and grew up in New York State, the oldest of three children. Although he did not finish college, he was a natural thinker and philosopher and, at the youthful age of twenty-four, led study groups on Rudolf Steiner's Philosophy of Freedom. He was dedicated to making Steiner's works available in English throughout North America and, in 1959, founded Rudolf Steiner Publications in New York City with Paul Marshall Allen. He published numerous volumes on Anthroposophy, as well as on other areas of Western spirituality, and, from 1960 to 1963, published the anthroposophic journal, Free Deeds. Later, he started Steinerbooks, an affiliate of Multimedia Publishing Corporation under the auspices of Rudolf Steiner Publications. He was also one of the founders of Green Meadow School in Chestnut Ridge, New York. Bernie Garber continued throughout his life to publish and promote the work of Rudolf Steiner.
René M. Querido, LLD, was a seminal figure in Waldorf education for a half century. He was educated in Holland, Belgium, France, and England and studied mathematics and physics at London University. Mr. Querido lectured throughout the world on historical and educational topics and was director of Rudolf Steiner College (Fair Oaks, California). He was also Secretary of the Anthroposophical Society in America.
