Aleister Crowley

Crowley struggled with heroin dependence for many years and published criticism of British drug laws. His regular drug use became central to his public reputation and the moral criticism directed against him.

State of the evidence

Well documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

Following decades of costly self-publishing and the failure of his 1934 lawsuit, Crowley became bankrupt and relied heavily on assistance from disciples and friends to finance his final years.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

Crowley sued Nina Hamnett, her publisher and printer after she claimed in Laughing Torso that he practised black magic in Cefalù. The trial publicly exposed his occult accounts, practices and allegations concerning the Abbey; his action failed.

Attribution

Protagonist is the complainant

Crowley established a community in Sicily called the Abbey of Thelema to experiment with his religion and ritual practices. Sexuality, drugs, occult exercises and the community's internal organisation provoked scandal and sensationalist press coverage.

Attribution

Directly implicated

Raoul Loveday, a young disciple living at the Abbey of Thelema, died after drinking contaminated water and contracting an infection. His widow Betty May subsequently accused Crowley and the community of degrading practices; the British press launched an extremely hostile campaign against him.

State of the evidence

Disputed

Following the Cefalù scandal and growing interest from fascist authorities in his activities, Crowley was ordered to leave Italy in April 1923. His departure resulted in the Abbey's closure.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

The novel The Diary of a Drug Fiend, heavily inspired by Crowley's personal experience of cocaine and heroin, triggered a press campaign. The Sunday Express attacked it and called for the book to be burned, contributing to the prevention of further printings.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

During his stay in the United States during the First World War, Crowley published articles in the pro-German newspaper The Fatherland attacking British policy and publicly adopting provocative positions favourable to Germany.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

After the London leaders of the Golden Dawn refused to recognise his advancement to the Adeptus Minor grade, Crowley was initiated in Paris by Samuel Mathers. Subsequently sent to London by Mathers, he attempted to take possession of the order's premises and ritual objects; the attempt failed and deepened the schism.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated