Atkinson, William Walker

William Walker Atkinson, born in 1862, was a significant figure in the New Thought movement. Originally an attorney, he experienced a breakdown and found healing through suggestive therapeutics, which led him to embrace New Thought principles. This marked a turning point, leading him to dedicate the last 30 years of his life to writing and publishing.

Atkinson authored an estimated 100 books, many under various pseudonyms, contributing significantly to the dissemination of New Thought ideas. He collaborated with Dr. Herbert A. Parkyn, initially seeking treatment and then becoming a student and collaborator, helping to shape the direction of magazines like Suggestion and New Thought. His work focused on mental sciences, personal development, and metaphysical concepts, making him a prominent and respected voice within the movement.

William Walker Atkinson began his career in business and later became an attorney in Pennsylvania. However, a period of significant stress led to a physical and mental collapse, accompanied by financial ruin. Seeking recovery, he discovered suggestive therapeutics around 1900 and attributed his subsequent restoration of health, mental clarity, and prosperity to the principles of New Thought. This personal transformation profoundly influenced his life's work, shifting his focus from law to the exploration and promotion of metaphysical and psychological concepts.

In 1900, Atkinson sought treatment from Dr. Herbert A. Parkyn at the Chicago School of Psychology. After his recovery, he studied directly under Parkyn, absorbing his system of suggestive therapeutics. Atkinson's legal background and writing skills led him to contribute to Parkyn's magazine, Suggestion, where he gradually introduced a more metaphysical interpretation of mental sciences. His contributions, initially unsigned, integrated his voice and promoted Parkyn's methods for self-culture and psychic phenomena, translating suggestive therapeutics into New Thought terminology. He was appointed the first instructor at Parkyn's University of Psychic Science in 1901, publishing his first book, 'A Series of Lessons in Personal Magnetism,' which was later retitled 'Thought=Force in Business and Everyday Life'.

Atkinson became a highly prolific author, writing an estimated 100 books, primarily in the last three decades of his life. He was a central figure in establishing and editing influential New Thought publications, including Suggestion, New Thought magazine, and Advanced Thought. To broaden his reach and explore different facets of metaphysical thought, Atkinson frequently employed pseudonyms, such as Theron Q. Dumont and Yogi Ramacharaka, under which many of his influential works were published. His publishing ventures, often sharing addresses and authors, aimed to disseminate New Thought principles widely, leading to his recognition in various directories of prominent figures.

Atkinson was deeply involved in the publishing side of the New Thought movement, establishing his own publishing houses, including the Advanced Thought Publishing Company and the Yogi Publishing Society. He was instrumental in the success of magazines like Suggestion, New Thought, and Advanced Thought. His extensive use of pseudonyms and the interconnectedness of his publishing efforts eventually drew the attention of the United States Post Office Department in 1919. Investigations focused on allegations of misleading advertising and potentially fraudulent practices related to the sale of metaphysical books, promotional materials, and claims concerning health and astrology.