The Life and Death of John Yarker

John Yarker was a Victorian Occultist, Freemason and esoteric Truth Seeker, who is now somewhat revered by both esoteric Freemasons and Occultists alike. He was born in Cumbria, but moved to Manchester, where he spent the rest of his life, and authored countless articles, short papers, and books that now fetch large sums at book auctions. He also collected together a number of Masonic and Oriental Orders, and he was said to have been the lynchpin for the founding of the O.T.O., a move that secured his Occult status. Indeed, Yarker was a strong influence on Aleister Crowley, introducing him to the Ancient and Primitive Rite.

This work is the first extensive biography written of John Yarker's life, and explores his early life, his Masonic career, and his eclectic collection of Rites and Orders, which include the Society of Eight, the Sat B'hai, the Swedenborgian Rite, the Ancient and Primitive Rite, Martinism and the Adoptive Rite, to name but a few.