Lucifer (magazine)

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Lucifer

1887-1897

Lucifer

Designed to "Bring to Light the Hidden Things of Darkness"

(London, England)

(31 October 1887 − 31 October 1897)

Lucifer was a monthly journal published from September, 1887, to August, 1897, in London. The first issue was published on September 15, 1887. The names of H. P. Blavatsky and Mabel Collins appear as Editors, with the publisher as George Redway, York Street, Covent Garden, London. Bertram Keightley assisted the editors. The slogan printed on the cover was "To bring to light the hidden things of darkness." Mme. Blavatsky edited it until her death in 1891, followed by Annie Besant. After September 1895 G. R. S. Mead joined the editorial staff.

Besides Mme. Blavatsky and Mabel Collins, other major contributors included Archibald Keightley, Anna Bonus Kingsford, H. S. Olcott, William Scott-Elliot, Constance Wachtmeister, Gerald Massey, William Kingsland and many others. The co-editors contributed substantially, although HPB was usually anonymous in her writings.

A new volume of the journal was started every six months, rather than annually, so that the volumes ran September-February and March-August.

Theosophical magazine initially edited by Blavatsky and Mabel Collins, later by Annie Besant and G. R. S. Mead. Twenty volumes appeared from September 1887 to August 1897; it was succeeded by The Theosophical Review. (BCW 7:403).

Edited by H. P. B. and Mabel Collins. Vols. I-XX, Sept. 1887-Aug. 1897 (BCW 8:479).

Edited by H. P. Blavatsky, and Mabel Collins. London Sept. 1887-Aug. 1897. Vols. I-XX. Later edited by Annie Besant and G.R.S. Mead. Superseded by The Theosophical Review (BCW 9:461).

In autumn 1887 publication passed from G. Redway to the Theosophical Publishing Company. (B. de Zirkoff, BCW 8:xxii, BCW 8:3)

About the title:

The first volume’s title page explains Lucifer as the light-bearer and the morning star, Venus. Blavatsky’s opening essay, “What’s in a Name?”, develops this reading of the title and contests its identification with the devil. Lucifer, vol. I, 1887: title page and “What’s in a Name?”

Mentioned in:

• Chronological Survey & Key to Abbreviations (BCW vol.8) (BCW 8:xxii)
• Compiler’s Introductory Note (BCW 8:3)

Some links:

• Related pages: Quotations
• CTD article in Russian: Люцифер (периодика)
• Theosophy Wiki: Lucifer (periodical)
• Wikipedia: Lucifer (magazine)
• Other resources: IAPSOP, Theosophy Wiki

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Short description: Lucifer was a monthly journal published from September, 1887, to August, 1897, in London.