William ashton ellis biography of albert

English translator and biographer (1852–1919)

William Ashton Ellis (20 August 1852 – 2 January 1919) was an English doctor and theosophist.

He is remembered for translating the complete prose works of Richard Wagner.

Life

Born in London, the son of the surgeon Robert Ellis (1823–1877), he was originally intended to follow a medical career.

His interest in theosophy (he was personally acquainted with Madame Blavatsky) and his devotion to the music of Wagner combined in 1887 to lead him to resign his job as a medical officer, and to become the editor of the journal of the London Wagner Society, "The Meister".

Ellis wrote that Wagner's music and ideas would free mankind "from the tightening grip of crushing scientific materialism" of his era: "at no time [had] there been such a widespread desire to search all things, and to bring forth some of the hidden secrets of that which is above and beyond matter."

Ellis's own articles in "The Meister" included