Toronto Reference Library Blog

The Toronto Reference Library invites you to attend a Thought Exchange event with Professor Gillian McCann of Nipissing
University. Professor McCann is a PhD graduate of the University of Toronto with a specialization in the religious traditions of South Asia with a focus on Hinduism and Buddhism.

Professor McCann is the author of Vanguard of the New Age; The Toronto Theosophical Society, 1891-1945, MQUP 2012. In a review  in "Canada's History", Hillary Kaeli observes that in this carefully researched political, social, and cultural history, McCann shows how theosophy opened up "new ways of conceiving the world beyond the 'goose-steppers . . . in religion, medicine, society, state or what you will', as Harris put it".  

Most
people when thinking about Toronto in the Victorian period imagine a sleepy
backwater unconcerned with the pressing issues of the time. However, a closer
look offers a very different picture. Drawing on research done for Vanguard of the New Age: The Toronto
Theosophical Society 1891-1945, McCann argues that in fact members of the
occult movement participated in a variety of important debates around labour
issues, women’s rights, alternative religion, pacifism and socialism. Members
of the TTS were part of an avant-garde that contributed to the creation of a culturally
vibrant and politically progressive Toronto. 
At a time when many of these battles are being fought all over again it
seems especially important to reclaim the history of a free-thinking, esoteric
and politically radical city.

This Thought Exchange Program will be held at:

The Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge Street
Beeton Auditorium,  Yonge & Bloor
On Tuesday June 25th: 1-3:00 pm

 Admission Is Free and All Are Welcome.

The Toronto Reference Library invites you to attend a Thought Exchange event with Professor Gillian McCann of Nipissing
University. Professor McCann is a PhD graduate of the University of Toronto with a specialization in the religious traditions of South Asia with a focus on Hinduism and Buddhism.

Professor McCann is the author of Vanguard of the New Age; The Toronto Theosophical Society, 1891-1945, MQUP 2012. In a review  in "Canada's History", Hillary Kaeli observes that in this carefully researched political, social, and cultural history, McCann shows how theosophy opened up "new ways of conceiving the world beyond the 'goose-steppers . . . in religion, medicine, society, state or what you will', as Harris put it".  

Most
people when thinking about Toronto in the Victorian period imagine a sleepy
backwater unconcerned with the pressing issues of the time. However, a closer
look offers a very different picture. Drawing on research done for Vanguard of the New Age: The Toronto
Theosophical Society 1891-1945, McCann argues that in fact members of the
occult movement participated in a variety of important debates around labour
issues, women’s rights, alternative religion, pacifism and socialism. Members
of the TTS were part of an avant-garde that contributed to the creation of a culturally
vibrant and politically progressive Toronto. 
At a time when many of these battles are being fought all over again it
seems especially important to reclaim the history of a free-thinking, esoteric
and politically radical city.

This Thought Exchange Program will be held at:

The Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge Street
Beeton Auditorium,  Yonge & Bloor
On Tuesday June 25th: 1-3:00 pm

 Admission Is Free and All Are Welcome.