Biography of Rudolf Steiner

1861

Born at Kraljevec (Hungary, now Slovenia), 27th February.

Father, Johann (1829 - 1910), railway official.

Mother, Franziska (1834 - 1918), née Blie.

1863

Childhood at Pottschach, amidst beautiful surroundings.

1868

Moves to Neudörfl, Burgenland.

1872

Attends modern school (Realschule) at Wiener-Neustadt.

1879

Passes school leaving examination with distinction.

Enters Technical University, Vienna.

Karl Julius Schröer introduces Steiner to the literary works of Goethe.

1882

On Schröder's recommendation, begins editing the scientific writings of Goethe for Kürschner's edition.

1884

Private tutor of four boys in the Specht family in Vienna (until 1890), helping one of them, with hydrocephalus, to normalcy.

1886

"Theory of Knowledge based on Goethe's World Conception" published.

1888

Edits the "German Weekly".

1890

Begins work at the Goethe-Schiller Archives in Weimar, editing and writing introductions to Goethe's scientific writings, for the Sophia edition.

1891

Degree, Doctor of Philosophy, at Rostock University.

1892

"Truth and Knowledge" (doctoral thesis) published.

1894

"The Philosophy of Freedom" (or "The Philosophy of Spiritual Activity") published.

Visits the ailing Nietzsche.

1895

"Nietzsche, Fighter for Freedom" published.

1897

"Goethe's conception of the World" published.

Moves to Berlin.

Edits "Magazine for Literature" with Otto Erich Hartleben (until 1900).

1899

Teaches at the Workers' Educational Institute, Berlin (until 1904).

1900

"Haeckel and His Opponents" published.

Gives first lectures at the Theosophical Library, Berlin.

(Between 1900 and 1924, Steiner gives over 6,000 lectures.)

1901

Lectures on "Christianity as Mystical Fact" at the Theosophical Library (published as a book in 1902.)

1902

Joins the Theosophical Society.

October: German branch founded, Steiner as Secretary.

1904

"Theosophy" published.

"Knowledge of Higher Worlds and Its Attainment" serialised in the magazine "Lucifer-Gnosis" (published in book form in 1908).

1907

Theosophical Congress, Munich. Steiner brings as artistic impulse, through Apocalyptic Seals and columns, and a production of Eduard Schuré's "The Children of Lucifer".

1910

First Mystery drama, "The Portal of Initiation" performed in Munich.

"An Outline of Occult Science" published.

1911

Second Mystery drama, "The Soul's Probation" performed in Munich.

1912

Third Mystery drama, "The Guardian of the Threshold".

Beginnings of the new art of Eurythmy.

"The Calendar of the Soul" published.

1913

Fourth Mystery drama, "The Souls' Awakening".

Institution of the Anthroposophical Society.

20th September: Foundation Stone of the Goetheanum building laid (wooden, on concrete foundation).

1914

24th December: Marries Marie von Sivers (bearer of the speech and drama impulse and the public performance of eurythmy).

1918

The Threefold Social Order movement initiated in the closing stages of the First World War.

1919

The Waldorf School founded in Stuttgart.

Goethe's "Faust" first produced at the Goetheanum.

1922

West-East Congress in Vienna.

Foundation of the Christian Community.

New Year's Eve: The Goetheanum burnt through arson.

1923

25th December - 1st January, 1924. The Christmas Conference and the refounding of the Anthroposophical Society, with Rudolf Steiner as president.

1924

Nine months of intense activity in many fields.

28th September: The Last Address.

Rudolf Steiner takes to his sick bed, continuing his activity through writing, etc., unabated.

1925

30th March: Rudolf Steiner dies.

The second Goetheanum (in reinforced concrete) being built, opened in 1928.

"Fundamentals of Therapy" published, co-authored with Rudolf Steiner's doctor, Ita Wegmann.

Source:Julian Pook