Harry Ezekiel Wedeck

Harry Ezekiel Wedeck was a British academic and author, born in 1894, who developed a significant body of work on esoteric topics. After serving in the British Army during World War I and earning an M.A. from the University of Edinburgh, he pursued a career in education. Wedeck immigrated to the United States, where he taught Latin at high schools in Manhattan and Brooklyn for many years, eventually chairing the classical languages department at Erasmus Hall High School. He later taught classical studies at Brooklyn College and lectured on medieval studies at The New School for Social Research.

Beyond his academic teaching, Wedeck was a prolific writer and translator. He translated French literature into English and contributed to scholarly journals. In the latter part of his career, he authored numerous books that explored subjects such as magic, the occult, astrology, witchcraft, and aphrodisiacs. Several of these works, including "Dictionary of Astrology," "A Dictionary of Aphrodisiacs," "A Treasury of Witchcraft," and "Triumph of Satan," achieved lasting popularity and were reprinted in paperback for decades. Wedeck passed away in 1996 at the age of 102.

Harry Ezekiel Wedeck's career spanned both classical academia and the exploration of esoteric subjects. Educated at the University of Edinburgh, he developed a strong foundation in classical languages and literature. This expertise informed his later writings, which delved into areas often considered outside the mainstream. He authored and co-authored several dictionaries and reference works focused on the occult, magic, witchcraft, astrology, and related topics. His works like "Dictionary of Magic," "Dictionary of the Occult," and "Treasury of Witchcraft" aimed to provide accessible information on these subjects. He also explored the historical and cultural aspects of love, sexuality, and amatory practices in books such as "Dictionary of Aphrodisiacs" and "Love Potions Through the Ages."

In addition to his original works on esoteric themes, Wedeck was an active translator and editor. He translated novels from French into English and vice versa, demonstrating his linguistic versatility. His academic background also led him to edit classical texts, including "Classics of Greek Literature" and "Classics of Roman Literature." Furthermore, he translated significant works from other languages, such as Solomon ibn Gabirol's "The Foundation of Life" (Fons Vitae) from Latin and Richard von Krafft-Ebing's "Psychopathia Sexualis" from German. His contributions extended to articles in "The Saturday Review of Literature" and "The Classical Journal," showcasing his engagement with both popular and academic literary circles.