The life and works of the founder of Anthroposophy

Italian version

Childhood and early youth

Rudolf Steiner was born on February 27, 1861, in Donji Kraljević, then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and now located in northern Croatia. His father, Johann Steiner, initially worked as a game warden before becoming a telegraph operator for the Austrian Railways and eventually serving as a stationmaster. His mother, Franziska Blie, was employed as a maid for a count.

At the tender age of nine, Steiner had a significant spiritual experience when he saw the spirit of his deceased aunt, who had passed away without the family’s knowledge. In his later writings, he revealed that he believed he had already developed the necessary abilities for spiritual clairvoyance by the age of 15.

After graduating from high school in 1879, he received a scholarship that allowed him to attend the Technische Hochschule (Polytechnic) in Vienna. During his time there, he studied a wide range of subjects, including mathematics, physics, chemistry, botany, biology, literature, and philosophy, and ultimately earned his degree in 1883. Throughout his academic journey, he developed an intense fascination with Goethe’s works and philosophy.

Early career

In 1882, while still a student and without an academic degree, Steiner was appointed chief scientific editor of the new edition of Goethe’s works by Deutsche National Literatur. His significant contribution to the field occurred in 1886 with the publication of “Grundlinien Einer Erkenntnistheorie der Goetheschen Weltanschauung” (The Theory of Knowledge in Goethe’s Worldview).

Steiner moved to Weimar, in Thuringia, in 1890, where he began working at the archives of the Schiller-Goethe Foundation. He earned his doctorate from the University of Rostock in 1891, and his thesis, which was later published, was titled “Wahrheit und Wissenschaft” (Truth and Science).

In 1894, he published his first philosophical dissertation titled “Die Philosophie der Freiheit” (The Philosophy of Freedom). This work explored whether individuals are genuinely capable of experiencing freedom or if such freedom is merely an illusion stemming from ignorance of their actual circumstances.

He relocated to Berlin in 1897 and earned a living as a magazine editor. He became the co-owner and editor-in-chief of Magazin für Literatur, a literary magazine, but unfortunately failed to find an audience for his philosophical articles. Steiner left the magazine and pursued teaching. He began teaching at the Arbeiterbildungsschule (Workers’ Education School), introducing progressive ideas, including universal education from a working-class perspective. He also attended Theosophical Society meetings, where he quickly gained recognition.

Steiner tied the knot with Anna Eunicke in 1899. She was a widow and a landlady who had rented him a room. Unfortunately, their marriage did not last long, and they separated after a few years. Anna passed away in 1911.

The Theosophical period

In 1902, Steiner became the General Secretary of the German branch of the Theosophical Society, which at that time had only one lodge. Through his dedicated efforts as a lecturer, the number of lodges increased to 65 within a decade. While he adhered to the fundamental principles of spirituality outlined by the Theosophical Society, Steiner’s vision diverged from Blavatsky’s methods by introducing a unique esoteric system rooted in Western traditions. This approach replaced the Eastern influences and terminology that had previously been predominant within the Society.

In 1909, Charles Webster Leadbeater 1 and Annie Besant 2, both prominent members of the Theosophical Society, discovered a young man named Jiddu Krishnamurti in India. They believed him to be the reincarnation of Christ, which prompted them to establish the Order of the Eastern Star, with Krishnamurti as its leader. This decision led to disagreements within the Society, resulting in Steiner’s departure along with the exit of many German members.

Foundation and development of the Anthroposophical Society

Founded in 1912, the Anthroposophical Society was established by Steiner with the aim of exploring spirituality in line with Western traditions. During his leadership, the organisation experienced notable growth.

In 1913, plans were set to construct the Goethanum, intended to be the world centre of the Anthroposophical Society. The building, constructed from wood and concrete, was completed in 1919 in the town of Dornach, located near Basel, Switzerland.

In 1914, he married Marie von Sievers, an actress from the Baltic region and a devoted anthroposophist who influenced Steiner in the development of Waldorf pedagogy and eurythmy schools 3.

In 1919, after World War I, Steiner began teaching actively. That same year, he founded the original Waldorf Schools in Stuttgart, Germany. These schools have since spread globally and operate independently. They continue to use a holistic approach to education, emphasising the development of children’s practical, artistic, and intellectual skills, while particularly nurturing their imagination and creativity. In addition to his work in education, Steiner dedicated himself to supporting individuals with disabilities and conducted research on biodynamic farming and complementary medical treatments, including homoeopathy.   

In 1921, after Adolf Hitler became leader of the Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei, the National Socialist German Workers’ Party, Steiner found himself in increasingly hostile situations. Hitler viewed him as a pawn controlled by Jewish interests. As a result, Steiner was compelled to interrupt his meetings and leave Berlin a year later.

On New Year’s Eve in 1922, the Goethanum was consumed by flames. Although the cause of the fire was never determined, the Nazis were held responsible. Despite this setback, Rudolf Steiner remained undeterred and started planning a new concrete structure. To address the criticisms he faced, he tirelessly delivered lectures multiple times a day.

In September 1924, Rudolf Steiner delivered his final lecture before pausing his teaching activities due to an unidentified digestive illness. He then devoted himself to writing his autobiography until his death on March 30, 1925, in Dornach, Switzerland. Despite rumours suggesting he had been poisoned, Steiner never supported this theory.

After his passing, his fame skyrocketed. In 1930, the German government banned his literature and ordered the closure of the Anthroposophical Society. Later, in 1941, the Waldorf schools were also shut down. Despite these actions, the Society has expanded globally, attracting over 50,000 followers from nearly 100 countries over time.

Bibliography

Steiner’s Collected Works is an extensive collection comprising around 422 volumes, including 44 volumes of his various writings, such as books, essays, plays, and correspondence. It also features over 6000 lectures and nearly 80 volumes (some yet to be published) that document his artistic endeavours, which include architecture, drawings, paintings, graphics, furniture design, and choreography, among others. To follow some titles:

  • Goethean Science
  • A Theory of Knowledge
  • Philosophy of Freedom
  • Friedrich Nietzsche, Fighter for Freedom
  • Goethe’s Conception of the World
  • Mysticism at the Dawn of the Modern Age
  • Christianity as a Mystical Fact
  • Theosophy
  • How to Know Higher Worlds
  • Cosmic Memory
  • The Stages of Higher Knowledge
  • Occult Science
  • Four Mystery Dramas
  • The Spiritual Guidance of Mankind
  • A Road to Self-Knowledge
  • The Threshold of the Spiritual World
  • The Riddles of Philosophy
  • The Riddle of Man
  • The Case For Anthroposophy
  • Goethe’s Spiritual Nature
  • The Threefold Social Order
  • The Renewal of the Social Organism
  • Cosmology, Religion and Philosophy
  • Anthroposophical Leading Thoughts
  • Fundamentals of Therapy
  • My Autobiography
  1. Charles Webster Leadbeater (1854-1934) was an English member of the Theosophical Society, a Freemason, and a writer on occultism. He co-founded the Liberal Catholic Church (LCC), a group of Catholic entities not affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church, which welcomed theosophical and Masonic beliefs. Originally an Anglican priest, Leadbeater later became a prominent figure in the Theosophical Society, remaining a member until his death. ↩︎
  2. Annie Besant was an influential English activist known for championing women’s rights and advocating for the self-determination of the Irish and Indian people. In 1890, she met Helena Blavatsky and quickly rose to prominence within the Theosophical Society, eventually becoming its president. Besant travelled to India, where she actively engaged in politics and became a member of the Indian National Congress. Notably, in 1902, she established the first international lodge of the International Order of Co-Masonry, which welcomed individuals of all nationalities and faiths. Throughout her life, Besant authored over 300 books and pamphlets. She remained active until her death at the age of 85 from a long illness in India, where she was cremated. ↩︎
  3. Steiner describes Eurythmy as an artistic movement expressing the connection between humanity and the spiritual realm. ↩︎