Nevill Drury

Nevill Drury (1947-2013) was an author, editor, and publisher of English origin who spent much of his life in Australia. He authored over 40 books exploring diverse subjects including shamanism, Western magical traditions, art, music, and anthropology. His writings have achieved international reach, published in 26 countries and translated into 19 languages.

Drury's career spanned academia, publishing, and writing. After earning degrees in anthropology, including a PhD focused on Rosaleen Norton's art and magical beliefs, he worked in the Australian book industry. He held editorial positions at Nature and Health, Harper and Row, and Doubleday, and co-founded the art publishing house Craftsman House. Drury was also a prolific writer and lecturer, frequently speaking on spirituality and magical practices. His work often delved into occultism in Australia, shamanism, and new spiritual movements, contributing significantly to the understanding of these fields.

Nevill Drury's extensive bibliography demonstrates a deep engagement with esoteric and spiritual themes. He authored numerous books that served as introductions and explorations into subjects like shamanism, Western magical traditions, and mysticism. Works such as "Other Temples, Other Gods" provided an early overview of occultism in Australia, while "The Occult Experience" accompanied an award-winning documentary he produced. His research also extended to biographies, notably "Pan's Daughter," focusing on the artist and witch Rosaleen Norton. Drury's contributions were not limited to esoteric subjects; he also wrote extensively on Australian art, including a significant three-volume series and was recognized for his role in promoting Aboriginal art. His books were translated into numerous languages, indicating a global interest in his research and perspectives.

Drury's academic background, culminating in a PhD from the University of Newcastle in 2008, provided a foundation for his scholarly work on visionary art and magical beliefs. He was active as a speaker and workshop facilitator from the 1980s onwards, sharing his knowledge on topics such as magical visualization and shamanic drumming. Drury also appeared on Australian television programs, including ABC's "The Ark" and "Compass," where he presented as a spokesperson for the "New Spirituality." His lecturing extended to academic institutions like the University of Queensland, underscoring his role in bridging academic inquiry with public discourse on spiritual and esoteric matters.

Nevill Drury received several accolades for his contributions. "The Occult Experience" documentary earned a Bronze Award at the 1985 International Film and Television Festival of New York. His book "The New Age: Searching for the Spiritual Self" received a Silver Award in ForeWord Magazine's Book of the Year Awards in 2004. His PhD work was also recognized with awards from the University of Newcastle in 2008. Beyond formal awards, Drury is remembered for his significant role in publishing, particularly in the field of Australian art, and for his prolific writing that made complex spiritual and magical traditions accessible to a wide audience.