Printed in the Winter 2025 issue of Quest magazine.
Citation: Georgiades, Erica; McDavid, Doss "The Franz Hartmann Collection" Quest 113:1, pg 8-9
By Erica Georgiades and Doss McDavid
The Franz Hartmann Collection is a groundbreaking project that aims to put together in a comprehensive and accessible form the writings of the Theosophist, mystic, and physician Franz Hartmann (1838‒1912). Hartmann, who was a close associate of Helena Petrovna Blavatsky and Henry Steel Olcott, played a significant role in the development and popularization of Theosophy in Germany. His diverse body of work, which includes writings on Theosophy, Christian mysticism, Masonry, Rosicrucianism, and alternative medicine, has been a source of inspiration for many.
 |
|
|
A drawing by HPB, from the collection of Franz Hartmann. Hartmann writes: "She sometimes drew caricatures that were not without artistic value and portraits that were easily recongnizable. One such represents the examination for initiation of a proninent member of the T.S. He is evidenty unable to answer the questions asked of him by K.H. and he looks with a wistful eye at a bottle of chamagne and a dancing girl, as if he were very loath to abandon the pleasures of this life. An elemental holds a candle and in the distance is the Master M. and still further on Madame Blavasky herself sitting on an elephant."Reproduced in Hartmann's autobiographu in his Ouline of the Secret Doctrine. |
Despite the profound impact of Hartmann’s work, his writings have never been compiled in a comprehensive manner until now. The Franz Hartmann Collection, launched in 2022, seeks to rectify this oversight by publishing the entirety of Hartmann’s works in both book and web format. Currently consisting of eleven volumes, the collection covers a wide range of topics, from An Adventure among the Gnomes to Hermetic Stories for Children. It also features three volumes translated for the first time from German to English by TSA board member Susanne Hoepfl-Wellenhofer: Yoga and Christianity; Mysteries, Symbols, and Occult Forces; and An Outline of the Secret Doctrine. One highlight of the collection is the inclusion, on its website, of hundreds of articles and books by Hartmann that have been translated into English for the first time by Robert Hütwohl. The collection is far from complete and is an ongoing work, with four more volumes underway.
This extensive collection of works provides a wealth of knowledge and insight into Hartmann’s teachings and philosophy, making it an invaluable resource for scholars, researchers, and enthusiasts alike. Visitors to the collection’s website, www.franzhartmann.eu, can explore the full range of Hartmann’s writings, gaining a comprehensive understanding of his contributions to the fields of mysticism, Theosophy, and alternative medicine.
The significance of the Franz Hartmann Collection extends beyond merely compiling Hartmann’s writings: it also serves to shine a light on the impact and legacy of this influential figure. It highlights the importance of preserving and reprinting the early work of Theosophists, contributing in this way to the preservation of Theosophical history. By making Hartmann’s works more accessible and readily available, the collection seeks to ensure that his works continue to inspire and educate future generations of individuals interested in esoteric and spiritual knowledge.
The collection exemplifies a passion for preserving and disseminating valuable knowledge. The meticulous effort put into translating and compiling Hartmann’s works for the Franz Hartmann Collection is a testament to the dedication and commitment of those involved in the project. Thanks to Susanne Hoepfl-Wellenhofer and Robert Hütwohl, who have worked tirelessly to bring Hartmann’s writings into the English language.
The team involved in the project consists of Doss McDavid, Erica Georgiades, Juliet Bates, Ifigeneia Kastamoniti, Susanne Hoepfl-Wellenhofer, and Robert Hütwohl.
Erica Georgiades is the director of the European School of Theosophy and the School of Wisdom. She is also the president of the Theosophical Society in Greece.
Doss McDavid has been a member of the Theosophical Society since 1969. He is a professor emeritus at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.