author
J. D. (Jirah Dewey) Buck
1838–1916
A 19th-century American physician and prolific spiritual writer, he moved easily between medicine, psychology, Freemasonry, and Theosophy. His books explore health, symbolism, and the inner life with the restless curiosity of a lifelong seeker.
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About the author
Born in Fredonia, New York, on November 20, 1838, Jirah Dewey Buck trained as a homeopathic physician and later practiced in Cincinnati, Ohio. Alongside his medical work, he became known as a writer with wide-ranging interests that included health, psychology, religion, and esoteric philosophy.
Buck played an important role in early American Theosophy, helping to establish the Cincinnati Theosophical Society and taking part in the movement's growth in the United States during the 1880s. He was also active in Freemasonry, and several of his best-known books connect symbolic, philosophical, and spiritual themes.
His published works include The Nature and Aim of Theosophy, Mystic Masonry, A Study of Man and the Way to Health, and Modern World Movements. He died on December 13, 1916, leaving behind a body of writing that reflects both his medical background and his deep interest in spiritual and philosophical questions.