ELEVEN EUROPEAN MYSTICS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR, THE PEOPLE,
AND THE BACKGROUND OF THIS BOOK

HORTLY BEFORE the beginning of the present century,
Rudolf Steiner arrived in Berlin to assume the post of editor
of the well-known Magazin für Litteratur which had
been established by Joseph Lehmann in 1832, the year of
Goethe's death. Steiner was well qualified for this position,
having already edited and written commentary on
the natural scientific writings of Goethe for the Kurschner
and the Weimar Editions of Goethe's works, a task for
which he had been originally recommended by the
celebrated Goethe scholar, Karl ulius Schröer, under whom
Steiner had studied at the University of Vienna. Steiner
also had edited the works of Schopenhauer and Jean Paul
Richter for the well-known Cotta Library of World Literoature
series. Steiner's work as a writer for various periodicals in
Vienna, Weimar and Berlin included observations
on current affairs, reviews of books and plays, and com
ment on scientific, social, and philosophical developments...