Manly Palmer Hall

Manly Palmer Hall, born in Canada in 1901, became a prolific author, lecturer, astrologer, and mystic. Over his extensive career, he delivered thousands of lectures and published over 150 volumes, with his most celebrated work being 'The Secret Teachings of All Ages' from 1928. In 1934, he established the Philosophical Research Society in Los Angeles, an organization dedicated to the study of religion, mythology, and metaphysics.

Hall's early life in Los Angeles led him to explore mysticism and esoteric philosophies. He took over as preacher for the Church of the People and began publishing his early works, including "The Initiates of the Flame" and "The Lost Keys of Freemasonry." Financial support from patrons allowed him to travel extensively, gathering knowledge and acquiring rare books on alchemy and esotericism, notably a significant collection from Sotheby's. His influential book, 'The Secret Teachings of All Ages,' aimed to present a hidden doctrine concerning life's inner mysteries, utilizing allegories and symbols from ancient traditions. Hall also wrote on topics such as the "Secret Destiny of America," suggesting a philosophical order's role in its founding.

Born in Ontario, Canada, in 1901, Manly Palmer Hall's early life was marked by a move to Los Angeles in 1919 to join his birth mother. Shortly after his relocation, he became deeply immersed in mysticism and the study of esoteric philosophies. His spiritual journey led him to take charge of the Church of the People in Los Angeles, where he was ordained a minister in 1923. During this formative period, he authored his initial pamphlets and books, including "The Breastplate of the High Priest" and "The Lost Keys of Freemasonry," laying the groundwork for his later extensive literary output.

Hall's most significant contribution, "The Secret Teachings of All Ages," published in 1928, was a monumental work intended to reveal a hidden doctrine within ancient symbols and rituals. The book's creation was funded through public solicitation and featured intricate illustrations. Its success propelled Hall to greater influence within the burgeoning metaphysical movement in the United States. In 1934, he founded the Philosophical Research Society (PRS) in Los Angeles. This non-profit organization became a hub for the study of religion, mythology, and the occult, housing a vast library and publishing Hall's works, with its collection of rare alchemical texts even consulted by Carl Jung.

Following the success of "The Secret Teachings of All Ages," Hall continued to publish numerous books, including "The Dionysian Artificers" and "Freemasonry of the Ancient Egyptians." Throughout his life, he delivered approximately 8,000 lectures globally and authored over 200 books and essays. Hall was also involved with Freemasonry, being initiated in 1954 and eventually receiving the 33° degree in the Scottish Rite in 1973. He was known for his friendships with notable figures in arts and public life, including Bela Lugosi and Ronald Reagan. His later lecture at Carnegie Hall on "The Secret Destiny of America" explored the idea of a secret order influencing the nation's founding principles.

“The greatest knowledge of all time should be available to the twentieth century not only in the one shilling editions of the Bohn Library in small type and shabby binding, but in a book that would be a monument, not merely a coffin. John Henry Nash agreed with me.”