Theosophy & New Thought by Henry C. Sheldon.

Chapter 1, "Historical Outlines", traces the origins and early development of modern Theosophy, beginning with the founding of the Theosophical Society in New York in 1875 by Madame Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Colonel Henry S. Olcott, and W. Q. Judge. It recounts Blavatsky’s mysterious past, her involvement in spiritualism, and her travels across the world, culminating in the creation of Theosophy as a new occult movement. The chapter details the society’s expansion into India, its flirtation with Hindu philosophy, and the scandals and schisms that followed—such as fraud accusations and leadership disputes—resulting in splinter groups under Olcott, Judge, and later Annie Besant. It also highlights prominent figures like A.P. Sinnett, C.W. Leadbeater, and Katherine Tingley, along with controversies over alleged immoral teachings. Overall, the chapter presents Theosophy’s beginnings as a mix of mystical ambition, charismatic leadership, and internal conflict.