Louis Claude de Saint-Martin
Louis Claude de Saint -Martin ( born January 18, 1743 Amboise, Touraine, Indre today -et-Loire, † October 13, 1803 in Aulnay, Chatenay -Malabry today, Département Hauts -de- Seine) was a French Freemason, philosopher, theosophist and mystic.
Life
Louis Claude de Saint- Martin was born into an impoverished noble family and was in its infancy often sick. He attended a Jesuit school, and was later forced by his father into the jurisprudential University of Orléans. His father hoped that Louis Claude a career in public service would seek to gain as the lost family fortune again. After Saint -Martin had worked for half a year as a lawyer, he defied his father and forced his consent to be allowed to pursue a military career. He received a commission in the Regiment de Foix, which was initially stationed in Tours, later in Bordeaux.
The majority of the officer corps consisted of Freemasons of the Order of Elu Coens of Martinez de Pasqually. A grenadier captain presented Saint -Martin de Pasqually whose private secretary he became. In 1765, Louis Claude was received by the Coens Elus what he later described as a turning point in his life. Around 1770 he had spread in France a system of so-called Illuminisme under Pasqually, which - in contrast to the German Illuminati - aimed spiritualistic and against Enlightenment goals and the gold and Rosicrucians was close.
1768 Saint -Martin Worshipful Master of the Lodge in Bordeaux. He ended his military career in 1771 to work as the secretary of Pasqually. As 1772 Pasqually moved to Haiti, Saint -Martin became the real manager of the Order, after the death of Pasqually in 1774 officially.
1773 moved to Lyon Saint -Martin, where he published his first book Des erreurs et de la vérité, which was a huge success in Masonic and magic circles by its enigmatic and symbolic language. The book's success gave Saint -Martin access to the higher strata of society, where he was able to secure the support of influential patrons by his intelligence and charm. 1782 appeared at the urging of his friends, his second book, entitled Tableau naturel qui existent entre of raports Dieu, l' homme et l' universe.
In 1784 he began to take an interest in mesmerism and Franz Anton Mesmer came lodge at. But soon left him the interest in mesmerism, and he focused again increased with the spiritual search. On a trip through England, Germany, Switzerland and Italy he encountered the ideas of Jacob Boehme, from which he also translated several works into French. Through his study of Boehme he alienated the Masonic ideas. In 1790 he resigned from all Masonic offices.
1792, the year of death of his father, Saint -Martin returned to Amboise, where he mainly spent the rest of his life with translations. He died during his visit to a friend.
Works (selection)
- In erreurs et de la vérité. In 1773.
- Tableau Naturel des rapports qui existent entre Dieu, l' Homme et l' Universe. In 1782.