About the Author

Rudolf Steiner (b. Rudolf Joseph Lorenz 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. Ren� 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. Johannes Werner Klein (1898-1984) was a German philosopher and, in February 1920, traveled to Dornach with his college and friend Martin Borchart to hear lectures by Rudolf Steiner. After the first lecture, he asked Steiner if it would be possible to found a "third church" (in the sense of Schelling ) that goes beyond Catholicism and Protestantism. Steiner replied in the affirmative, gave him practical advice, and asked him whether he could inspire a sufficient number of his peers to do so. Klein initially understood this as a commission addressed to him personally to work out the foundations for a new cult on his own, so he didn't tell anyone about this conversation. However, during a course held for 18 theology students, a decisive course was set that led to the foundation of The Christian Community in 1922. Klein assumed a leadership role as top link from the start but left The Christian Community in 1929 and turned to National Socialism. Later, Emil Bock tried and failed to persuade Klien to return to work in The Christian Community. After 1945, Klien worked as a freelance philosophical and religious writer and lecturer.