Rudolf Steiner

Born in 1861 in what is now Croatia and raised in the Austrian Empire, Rudolf Steiner became known as a philosopher, lecturer, and writer with wide-ranging interests. He first worked on scientific and philosophical studies, including editing Goethe’s scientific writings, before developing the spiritual philosophy he called anthroposophy.

In the early 20th century, Steiner became a prominent public speaker and teacher. He is especially remembered for founding the first Waldorf school in 1919, and his ideas also shaped biodynamic agriculture, new approaches to medicine, and forms of movement and performance such as eurythmy.

Steiner died in 1925 in Dornach, Switzerland. Since then, his work has continued to attract devoted followers as well as strong critics, and his legacy has remained part of ongoing conversations about education, spirituality, and alternative culture.