about the author
JOSEPHINE RANSOM (born Josephine Maria Davies 22 March 1879, Armidale, Australia; died 2 December 1960) was a leading member of the Theosophical Society, Editor of Theosophy in Australia, prolific lecturer and author.
As a young girl, Miss Ransom travelled to India where she studied Hindu and Buddhist philosophy, and became proficient in Sanskrit. After being admitted into the Theosophical Society in Adyar, Madras (1897) she became involved in educational work among Buddhists in Sri Lanka. Josephine married Captain Sidney Ransom in London on 30 March, 1907 and together they lectured in England and at Adyar. While in England, Mrs Ransom founded the Harrogate T.S. Training Centre, and the Britain and India Society. She toured the United States in 1931-1932.
During the 1920s and 1930s Mrs Ransom served as manager of the Theosophical Publishing House, Adyar; General Secretary of the Australian Section; General Secretary of the South African Section; and General Secretary of the English Section. In London she presented two Blavatsky Lectures, The Occult Teachings of the Christ (1933) and The Direction of the Theosophical Society by Masters of Wisdom (1942).
Her books include, among many others, Schools of Tomorrow in England; Irish Tales of Love and Beauty; Madame Blavatsky as Occultist; Studies in the Secret Doctrine; Occult Teachings of the Christ According to The Secret Doctrine; Self-Realization Through Yoga and Mysticism; and, A Short History of The Theosophical Society.
Josephine Ransom was a scholar with a keen depth of insight. We are pleased to include her overview of T. Subba Row’s work in the present collection covering the Subba Row/Blavatsky correspondence on the constitution of the human being.
