Julia Lynch Olin
Encyclopedia
Julia Lynch Olin also writing as Julie Chanler, was an American author and Bahá'í
who co-founded the New History Society in New York City
, and was later expelled from the religion by Shoghi Effendi
around 1939.
, a financier, in December 1902, and had two daughters: Phyllis and Elsie. In December 1920 they divorced and on May 23, 1921 she married Lewis Stuyvesant Chanler
, the ex-Lieutenant Governor of New York
and a former Democratic candidate for Governor.
Julie was first introduced to the teachings of the Bahá'í Faith
about 1925, as she states in her auto-biography. Becoming intimately associated with Mirza Ahmad Sohrab
they together with her second husband, started the New History Society. This Society, based in the home that Julie and Lewis owned in New York, (later called Caravan House), published several books, into the late 1950s. It apparently became defunct after Sohrab and/or Julie had died.
In 1929, he and Julie formed an educational organization called Caravan of East and West
with a quarterly magazine called The Caravan. This magazine is where Sohrab's partial autobiography first appeared, also in 1929.
Also that year, an article appeared in which the engagement of her daughter Elsie Benkard to Charles H. Clarke was announced (New York Times, Dec 12, 1929 pg 27). The marriage announcement appeared on February 27, 1930 stating that "...they were married with a Bahai ceremony. It was the first time that such a ceremony...has been used at a society wedding in New York. Mirza Ahmad Sohrab officiated."
The New History Society was addressed by several luminaries, including Albert Einstein
in 1930:
Another speaker was Margaret Sanger
in January 1932.
In 1936, Julie translated the French version of Seven Valleys
into English.
She was expelled from the Bahá'í community in 1939 along with Lewis and Sohrab after they refused to allow the Local Spiritual Assembly
of New York oversight over the operations of the New History Society. They went on to support the efforts of Mírzá Muhammad `Alí
, and at one point petitioned the President of Israel
for Muhammad `Alí's property rights when he tried to assert his control over the Shrine of Bahá'u'lláh
(http://bci.org/bahaistudies/courses/shoghi.htm).
As part of its mission, the New History Society, for many years sponsored an essay-contest. At least one of the winners of this, Jaja Wachuku
, became famous in his own right, for his essay "How Can the People of the World Achieve Universal Disarmament?" written while at the New Africa University College.
She died on March 11, 1961, at the age of 78, and in her obituary she was described as "spiritual leader of the Reform Baha'i movement...." (The New York Times
, March 12, 1961; pg 86.)
She was survived by her daughter, Mrs. Charles H. Clarke of Oyster Bay, New York, and a sister, Mrs. Tracy Dows (née Alice Townsend Olin) of Rhinebeck, New York.
Bahá'í Faith
The Bahá'í Faith is a monotheistic religion founded by Bahá'u'lláh in 19th-century Persia, emphasizing the spiritual unity of all humankind. There are an estimated five to six million Bahá'ís around the world in more than 200 countries and territories....
who co-founded the New History Society in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, and was later expelled from the religion by Shoghi Effendi
Shoghi Effendi
Shoghí Effendí Rabbání , better known as Shoghi Effendi, was the Guardian and appointed head of the Bahá'í Faith from 1921 until his death in 1957...
around 1939.
Biography
Her parents were Stephen Henry Olin and Alice Wadsworth Barlow. Julie first married J. Philip Benkard of New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, a financier, in December 1902, and had two daughters: Phyllis and Elsie. In December 1920 they divorced and on May 23, 1921 she married Lewis Stuyvesant Chanler
Lewis Stuyvesant Chanler
Lewis Stuyvesant Chanler was a New York lawyer and politician.- Early life :He was the son of John Winthrop Chanler and Margaret Astor Ward. Chanler had nine brothers and sisters, including the artist Robert Winthrop Chanler and the soldier and explorer William Astor Chanler...
, the ex-Lieutenant Governor of New York
Lieutenant Governor of New York
The Lieutenant Governor of New York is a constitutional office in the executive branch of the government of New York State. It is the second highest ranking official in state government. The lieutenant governor is elected on a ticket with the governor for a four year term...
and a former Democratic candidate for Governor.
Julie was first introduced to the teachings of the Bahá'í Faith
Bahá'í Faith
The Bahá'í Faith is a monotheistic religion founded by Bahá'u'lláh in 19th-century Persia, emphasizing the spiritual unity of all humankind. There are an estimated five to six million Bahá'ís around the world in more than 200 countries and territories....
about 1925, as she states in her auto-biography. Becoming intimately associated with Mirza Ahmad Sohrab
Mirza Ahmad Sohrab
Mírzá Aḥmad Sohráb was a Persian-American author and Bahá'í who co-founded the New History Society and the Caravan of East and West in New York, and was excommunicated from the Bahá'í Faith in 1939 by Shoghi Effendi.-Early life:...
they together with her second husband, started the New History Society. This Society, based in the home that Julie and Lewis owned in New York, (later called Caravan House), published several books, into the late 1950s. It apparently became defunct after Sohrab and/or Julie had died.
In 1929, he and Julie formed an educational organization called Caravan of East and West
Caravan of East and West
The Caravan of East and West is a tax-exempt, educational foundation for brotherhood, established in 1929 by Mirza Ahmad Sohrab, Lewis Stuyvesant Chanler and his wife Julie and located at 132 East 65th Street in New York City, at Caravan House, the former Chanler town residence.The Caravan was a...
with a quarterly magazine called The Caravan. This magazine is where Sohrab's partial autobiography first appeared, also in 1929.
Also that year, an article appeared in which the engagement of her daughter Elsie Benkard to Charles H. Clarke was announced (New York Times, Dec 12, 1929 pg 27). The marriage announcement appeared on February 27, 1930 stating that "...they were married with a Bahai ceremony. It was the first time that such a ceremony...has been used at a society wedding in New York. Mirza Ahmad Sohrab officiated."
The New History Society was addressed by several luminaries, including Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein was a German-born theoretical physicist who developed the theory of general relativity, effecting a revolution in physics. For this achievement, Einstein is often regarded as the father of modern physics and one of the most prolific intellects in human history...
in 1930:
- Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding
- Albert Einstein in translation of speech to New History Society, December 14, 1930
Another speaker was Margaret Sanger
Margaret Sanger
Margaret Higgins Sanger was an American sex educator, nurse, and birth control activist. Sanger coined the term birth control, opened the first birth control clinic in the United States, and established Planned Parenthood...
in January 1932.
In 1936, Julie translated the French version of Seven Valleys
Seven Valleys
The Seven Valleys is a book written in Persian by Bahá'u'lláh, the founder of the Bahá'í Faith. The Four Valleys was also written by Bahá'u'lláh, and the two books are usually published together under the title The Seven Valleys and the Four Valleys...
into English.
She was expelled from the Bahá'í community in 1939 along with Lewis and Sohrab after they refused to allow the Local Spiritual Assembly
Spiritual Assembly
Spiritual Assembly is a term given by `Abdu'l-Bahá to refer to elected councils that govern the Bahá'í Faith. Because the Bahá'í Faith has no clergy, they carry out the affairs of the community...
of New York oversight over the operations of the New History Society. They went on to support the efforts of Mírzá Muhammad `Alí
Mírzá Muhammad `Alí
Mírzá Muhammad `Alí was one of the sons of Bahá'u'lláh, the founder of the Bahá'í Faith. He was born from his father's second wife, Fatimih Khanum, whom Bahá'u'lláh married in Tehran in 1849, and she was later known as Mahd-i-'Ulya....
, and at one point petitioned the President of Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
for Muhammad `Alí's property rights when he tried to assert his control over the Shrine of Bahá'u'lláh
Shrine of Bahá'u'lláh
The Shrine of Bahá'u'lláh, located in Bahjí near Acre, Israel, is the most holy place for Bahá'ís and represents their Qiblih, or direction of prayer...
(http://bci.org/bahaistudies/courses/shoghi.htm).
As part of its mission, the New History Society, for many years sponsored an essay-contest. At least one of the winners of this, Jaja Wachuku
Jaja Wachuku
Jaja Anucha Wachuku , a Royal Prince of Ngwaland, "descendant of 20 generations of African chiefs in the Ibo country of Eastern Nigeria" - was a Pan-Africanist; and a globally distinguished Nigerian statesman, lawyer, politician, diplomat and humanitarian...
, became famous in his own right, for his essay "How Can the People of the World Achieve Universal Disarmament?" written while at the New Africa University College.
She died on March 11, 1961, at the age of 78, and in her obituary she was described as "spiritual leader of the Reform Baha'i movement...." (The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
, March 12, 1961; pg 86.)
She was survived by her daughter, Mrs. Charles H. Clarke of Oyster Bay, New York, and a sister, Mrs. Tracy Dows (née Alice Townsend Olin) of Rhinebeck, New York.
Works
- Living Pictures. In the Great Drama of the 19th Century. (with Ahmad Sohrab) New York: The New History Society, 1933. Reprinted. H-Bahai: Lansing, Michigan, 2004. (this link includes her picture)
- Seven Valleys, by Bahá'u'lláh (trans. Julie Chanler), 1936
- Brand, & Sohrab [libretto Max Brand, and Julie Chandler; Music Max Brand]. The Gate: Scenic Oratorio for Soli, Chorus, and Orchestra in Two Parts (19 Scenes). 61. New York: Associated Music Publishers, 1944.
- His Messengers Went Forth, by Julie Chanler, Illustrated by Olin Dows. Published by Coward-McCann, Inc. New York. Copyright 1948
- Ioas, Chanler, & Sohrab. Three Letters. [11] leaves. New York: Caravan of East and West, 1954.
- From Gaslight to Dawn, New History Foundation, NY 1956
Further reading
- Biography Index. A cumulative index to biographical material in books and magazines. Volume 4: September, 1955-August, 1958. New York: H.W. Wilson Co., 1960. (BioIn 4)
- Biography Index. A cumulative index to biographical material in books and magazines. Volume 5: September, 1958-August, 1961. New York: H.W. Wilson Co., 1962. (BioIn 5)