J. I. Wedgwood - Theosophy and Co-Masonry

Theosophy and Co-Masonry

In 1904 Wedgwood attended a lecture on Theosophy given by Annie Besant in York. Having heard her once previously in Nottingham, he determined to end his interest in Theosophy by attending a second lecture and ridding himself of “that woman”. Three days later he joined the Theosophical Society and was forbidden to return to the church. Citing the local canon, he wrote: “The Vicar could not have such a heretic as a church official!” He gave up the idea of ever having a career in the church and decided to dedicate himself to the work of the Theosophical Society and serving as General Secretary of the Society in England and Wales from 1911–1913, resigning only to join the British Jurisdiction of the Co-Masonic Order.