Buzz
Born as Edward Alexander Crowley in 1875, Crowley was a multi-faceted individual—pansexual, poet, mystic, occultist, ceremonial magician, deviant, recreational drug user, and skilled mountaineer. Known by the titles Frater Perdurabo and The Great Beast 666, he founded Thelema, a religious philosophy that promotes the idealist and libertine principle of "Do what thou wilt." His controversial life and beliefs led the British press to label him as "The Wickedest Man in the World."
10. Virginity
Fact: He lost his virginity at the age of 14.
In his early years, Crowley developed a strong sexual attraction to women. He reportedly lost his virginity to one of his family’s maids on his mother's bed. Shortly after, the maid was dismissed and fell into homelessness and alcoholism. There is even speculation that she became one of Jack the Ripper’s victims. Three years later, Crowley contracted gonorrhea from a prostitute.
9. Cambridge Education
Fact: He studied at Cambridge University.
In 1895, Crowley enrolled at Trinity College, Cambridge, to study Philosophy under the Moral Science Tripos. However, he later shifted his focus to English literature. While at university, he indulged in one of his greatest passions—poetry. In 1898, he published a 100-page collection of his poems titled *Aceldama*, and also released his erotic work, *White Stains*, in the same year.
8. Golden Dawn
Fact: At 23 years old, he became a member of the secretive group, The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn.
In 1898, Crowley joined the Golden Dawn, marking the beginning of his lifelong fascination with mysticism and the occult. However, his time with the organization was short-lived, as he consistently clashed with its senior members, including famous poet William Butler Yeats and occultist Arthur Edward Waite.
7. Homosexuality
Fact: He was expelled from The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn due to his deviant and openly homosexual behavior.
Despite the fact that several members of the organization were homosexual, they preferred to keep their sexuality concealed. Crowley's open and unapologetic promiscuity with both men and women—many of whom were prostitutes and rent boys—was a source of deep offense and anger among his peers.
6. Guardian Angel
Fact: He believed he had a guardian angel.
Crowley was convinced that his life was guided by a guardian angel named Aiwass. After his expulsion from the HOGD, he traveled to Mexico, India, France, and Egypt. It was in Egypt in 1904, along with his wife, that he claimed to have experienced a vision in which he made contact with Aiwass.
5. Illegitimate Child
Fact: There are rumors that Crowley fathered an illegitimate child.
Amado Crowley has written extensively about his father, claiming he was heavily mentored by Aleister Crowley. He continues to teach his father's work. However, there is considerable skepticism about Amado’s true relationship to Crowley, and it is widely believed that he may be using Crowley's name to build his own fame.
4. Penniless
Fact: He passed away in poverty and solitude.
While the exact date of Crowley’s death is debated (either December 1st or 5th), it is certain that he died a heroin addict in 1947, in a boarding house in Hastings, South East England.
3. Curse
Fact: Crowley placed a curse on his doctor.
After being prescribed morphine for his asthma and bronchitis, Crowley’s final doctor passed away within 24 hours of treating him. It is believed that shortly before his death, Crowley had refused to have his prescription renewed, which allegedly led the doctor to place a curse on him.
2. Mountaineer
Fact: He was also a skilled mountaineer.
In addition to his passion for poetry and drugs, Crowley was an avid mountaineer. He enthusiastically climbed K2, the second-highest mountain in the world, as well as Kanchenjunga, the third-highest.
1. Sergeant Pepper
Fact: Crowley was featured on the cover of The Beatles’ Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.
Crowley had a significant impact on many musicians, including Jimmy Page, who purchased his former home in Scotland, Boleskine House. The Beatles were also influenced by him. On the cover of Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, he appears between Mae West and Sri Yukteswar.
