Sir George Trevelyan, 4th Baronet
Encyclopedia
Sir George Lowthian Trevelyan 4th Baronet
, (5 November 1906 – 9 February 1996), an educational pioneer, a founding father of the New Age movement. After listening to a lecture by Dr Walter Stein, a student of Rudolf Steiner
in 1942, he turned from being agnostic to new age spiritual thinker, and even studied anthroposophy
in the coming years. He first became a History teacher at Gordonstoun
School, a pioneering radical education methods. After the World War II
, he became the Warden at Attingham Park
, a pioneering adult education college in Shropshire
in 1948, from where he retired in 1971, to found the Wrekin Trust
, an educational charity. Subsequently he got associated with the Soil Association
, the Findhorn Foundation
, the Teilhard de Chardin Society and the Essene Network. In the last 15 years of his life, he consistently in lecture tours and meetings. He also wrote numerous book, including A Vision of the Aquarian Age (1977), Operation Redemption (1981), Summons to a High Crusade (1985) and finally Exploration into God (1991). He was awarded the Right Livelihood Award
, in 1982.
He was the son of Sir Charles Trevelyan, 3rd Baronet
, and part of the Trevelyan Baronets, of Wallington lineage. Sir George was proud of this ancestry which he imagined linked him to Sir Trevillian, one of King Arthur
's knights, who swam ashore on horseback when Lyonesse
finally sank. Legend says that Sir Trevillian emerged with a mighty effort from the waves and landed safely on the dry land of Cornwall
.
home, Wallington Hall
, which his father gave to the National Trust
, effectively disinheriting George.
In 1925, he went to read history at Trinity College, Cambridge
, as per his family tradition. Whilst there he began his 42-year long association with the famous 'Trevelyan Man Hunt', an extraordinary annual event which involved a chase on foot over the wild Lakeland fells, with human 'hunters' hunting after human 'hares'. This exciting and highly taxing event was started in 1898 by George's historian uncle G. M. Trevelyan
and the Wynthrop Youngs, and still continues today (hide and seek game without guns!).
, which at that time was a school pioneering a radical education. Later, he became involved as a teacher of the Alexander Technique
for postural integration, and apprenticed himself to a furniture designer and master craftsman in wood, Peter Waals
, working at Waals' workshop in the Cotswold hills
. Sir George himself made many fine pieces of furniture, including a bed in which he finally died, as he wished.
In 1931, Sir George took the first class F. Matthias Alexander
gave for future teachers of the Alexander Technique
.
In 1942, after hearing a lecture given by Dr Walter Stein, a student of Rudolf Steiner
, Trevelyan discovered a spiritual world-view. During his lifetime he explored beliefs in angel
s, the calming effects of crystal
s and the power of ley lines, alongside organic farming and communal living.
On retirement from the army, in 1948 he was appointed Warden and Principal of Attingham Park
, an adult training college in Shropshire
, where he carried out his pioneering work in the teaching of spiritual knowledge as adult education
. The courses ranged from chamber music
and drama to esoteric subjects such as 'Finding the Inner Teacher' and 'Holistic Vision', the latter attracting large numbers of participants, many of them from other countries as well as Britain. The college was jointly sponsored by the local authority and the University of Birmingham
, both of whom looked askance at Sir George's attraction towards the mystical; and so it took immense moral courage, for instance, for him to present a course on 'Death and Becoming', a subject that was in those days virtually taboo
.
He was involved in the establishment of the Findhorn Foundation
, the Gatekeeper Trust, and through his friendship with Wellesley Tudor Pole
, the Chalice Well
and the Lamplighter Movement.
In 1971, he set up the Wrekin Trust
to promote spiritual education and knowledge
In 1982, he was a recipient of the Right Livelihood Award
, the 'alternative Nobel Prize
'.
Trevelyan Baronets
There have been two Baronetcies created for members of the Trevelyan family, one in the Baronetage of England and one in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom...
, (5 November 1906 – 9 February 1996), an educational pioneer, a founding father of the New Age movement. After listening to a lecture by Dr Walter Stein, a student of Rudolf Steiner
Rudolf Steiner
Rudolf Joseph Lorenz Steiner was an Austrian philosopher, social reformer, architect, and esotericist. He gained initial recognition as a literary critic and cultural philosopher...
in 1942, he turned from being agnostic to new age spiritual thinker, and even studied anthroposophy
Anthroposophy
Anthroposophy, a philosophy founded by Rudolf Steiner, postulates the existence of an objective, intellectually comprehensible spiritual world accessible to direct experience through inner development...
in the coming years. He first became a History teacher at Gordonstoun
Gordonstoun
Gordonstoun School is a co-educational independent school for boarding and day pupils in Moray in North East Scotland. Named after the estate originally owned by Sir Robert Gordon in the 1600s, the school now uses this estate as its campus...
School, a pioneering radical education methods. After the World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, he became the Warden at Attingham Park
Attingham Park
Attingham Park is a country house in Shropshire, England, which is owned by the National Trust. It is a Grade I listed building.- Location :It is located near to the village of Atcham, on the B4380 Shrewsbury to Wellington road.- History :...
, a pioneering adult education college in Shropshire
Shropshire
Shropshire is a county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. It borders Wales to the west...
in 1948, from where he retired in 1971, to found the Wrekin Trust
Wrekin Trust
The Wrekin Trust is a charity founded by Sir George Trevelyan in 1971, under the active encouragement of Air Marshal Victor Goddard. Its stated purpose is non-sectarian spiritual education. It aims to create "safe meeting spaces for connections, dialogue, learning and social action."...
, an educational charity. Subsequently he got associated with the Soil Association
Soil Association
The Soil Association is a charity based in the United Kingdom. Founded in 1946, it has over 27,000 members today. Its activities include campaign work on issues including opposition to intensive farming, support for local purchasing and public education on nutrition; as well the certification of...
, the Findhorn Foundation
Findhorn Foundation
The Findhorn Foundation is a Scottish charitable trust registered in 1972, formed by the spiritual community at the Findhorn Ecovillage, one of the largest intentional communities in Britain....
, the Teilhard de Chardin Society and the Essene Network. In the last 15 years of his life, he consistently in lecture tours and meetings. He also wrote numerous book, including A Vision of the Aquarian Age (1977), Operation Redemption (1981), Summons to a High Crusade (1985) and finally Exploration into God (1991). He was awarded the Right Livelihood Award
Right Livelihood Award
The Right Livelihood Award, also referred to as the "Alternative Nobel Prize", is a prestigious international award to honour those "working on practical and exemplary solutions to the most urgent challenges facing the world today". The prize was established in 1980 by Jakob von Uexkull, and is...
, in 1982.
He was the son of Sir Charles Trevelyan, 3rd Baronet
Sir Charles Trevelyan, 3rd Baronet
Sir Charles Philips Trevelyan, 3rd Baronet PC , the Lord Lieutenant of Northumberland, was a British Liberal, and later Labour, politician and landowner...
, and part of the Trevelyan Baronets, of Wallington lineage. Sir George was proud of this ancestry which he imagined linked him to Sir Trevillian, one of King Arthur
King Arthur
King Arthur is a legendary British leader of the late 5th and early 6th centuries, who, according to Medieval histories and romances, led the defence of Britain against Saxon invaders in the early 6th century. The details of Arthur's story are mainly composed of folklore and literary invention, and...
's knights, who swam ashore on horseback when Lyonesse
Lyonesse
Lyonesse is a country in Arthurian legend, particularly in the story of Tristan and Iseult. Said to border Cornwall, it is most notable as the home of the hero Tristan, whose father was king...
finally sank. Legend says that Sir Trevillian emerged with a mighty effort from the waves and landed safely on the dry land of Cornwall
Cornwall
Cornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
.
Early life and education
Sir George born into a large family part of the Trevelyan Baronets, of Wallington lineage, then owners of the Wallington Estate in Northumbria. He grew up in his family's NorthumberlandNorthumberland
Northumberland is the northernmost ceremonial county and a unitary district in North East England. For Eurostat purposes Northumberland is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "Northumberland and Tyne and Wear" NUTS 2 region...
home, Wallington Hall
Wallington Hall
Wallington is a country house and gardens located about west of Morpeth, Northumberland, England, near the village of Cambo. It has been owned by the National Trust since 1942, after it was donated by Sir Charles Philips Trevelyan, the first donation of its kind...
, which his father gave to the National Trust
National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty
The National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, usually known as the National Trust, is a conservation organisation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland...
, effectively disinheriting George.
In 1925, he went to read history at Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Trinity has more members than any other college in Cambridge or Oxford, with around 700 undergraduates, 430 graduates, and over 170 Fellows...
, as per his family tradition. Whilst there he began his 42-year long association with the famous 'Trevelyan Man Hunt', an extraordinary annual event which involved a chase on foot over the wild Lakeland fells, with human 'hunters' hunting after human 'hares'. This exciting and highly taxing event was started in 1898 by George's historian uncle G. M. Trevelyan
G. M. Trevelyan
George Macaulay Trevelyan, OM, CBE, FRS, FBA , was a British historian. Trevelyan was the third son of Sir George Otto Trevelyan, 2nd Baronet, and great-nephew of Thomas Babington Macaulay, whose staunch liberal Whig principles he espoused in accessible works of literate narrative avoiding a...
and the Wynthrop Youngs, and still continues today (hide and seek game without guns!).
Career
After leaving Cambridge, George went on to teach at GordonstounGordonstoun
Gordonstoun School is a co-educational independent school for boarding and day pupils in Moray in North East Scotland. Named after the estate originally owned by Sir Robert Gordon in the 1600s, the school now uses this estate as its campus...
, which at that time was a school pioneering a radical education. Later, he became involved as a teacher of the Alexander Technique
Alexander Technique
The Alexander Technique teaches the ability to improve physical postural habits, particularly those that have become ingrained and conditioned responses...
for postural integration, and apprenticed himself to a furniture designer and master craftsman in wood, Peter Waals
Peter Waals
Peter Waals , also known as Peter van der Waals, was a Dutch cabinet maker associated with the Arts and Crafts movement.-Arts and Crafts:...
, working at Waals' workshop in the Cotswold hills
Cotswolds
The Cotswolds are a range of hills in west-central England, sometimes called the Heart of England, an area across and long. The area has been designated as the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty...
. Sir George himself made many fine pieces of furniture, including a bed in which he finally died, as he wished.
In 1931, Sir George took the first class F. Matthias Alexander
F. Matthias Alexander
Frederick Matthias Alexander was an Australian actor who developed the educational process that is today called the Alexander Technique – a form of education that is applied to recognize and overcome reactive, habitual limitations in movement and thinking.-Early life:Alexander was born on a...
gave for future teachers of the Alexander Technique
Alexander Technique
The Alexander Technique teaches the ability to improve physical postural habits, particularly those that have become ingrained and conditioned responses...
.
In 1942, after hearing a lecture given by Dr Walter Stein, a student of Rudolf Steiner
Rudolf Steiner
Rudolf Joseph Lorenz Steiner was an Austrian philosopher, social reformer, architect, and esotericist. He gained initial recognition as a literary critic and cultural philosopher...
, Trevelyan discovered a spiritual world-view. During his lifetime he explored beliefs in angel
Angel
Angels are mythical beings often depicted as messengers of God in the Hebrew and Christian Bibles along with the Quran. The English word angel is derived from the Greek ἄγγελος, a translation of in the Hebrew Bible ; a similar term, ملائكة , is used in the Qur'an...
s, the calming effects of crystal
Crystal
A crystal or crystalline solid is a solid material whose constituent atoms, molecules, or ions are arranged in an orderly repeating pattern extending in all three spatial dimensions. The scientific study of crystals and crystal formation is known as crystallography...
s and the power of ley lines, alongside organic farming and communal living.
On retirement from the army, in 1948 he was appointed Warden and Principal of Attingham Park
Attingham Park
Attingham Park is a country house in Shropshire, England, which is owned by the National Trust. It is a Grade I listed building.- Location :It is located near to the village of Atcham, on the B4380 Shrewsbury to Wellington road.- History :...
, an adult training college in Shropshire
Shropshire
Shropshire is a county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. It borders Wales to the west...
, where he carried out his pioneering work in the teaching of spiritual knowledge as adult education
Adult education
Adult education is the practice of teaching and educating adults. Adult education takes place in the workplace, through 'extension' school or 'school of continuing education' . Other learning places include folk high schools, community colleges, and lifelong learning centers...
. The courses ranged from chamber music
Chamber music
Chamber music is a form of classical music, written for a small group of instruments which traditionally could be accommodated in a palace chamber. Most broadly, it includes any art music that is performed by a small number of performers with one performer to a part...
and drama to esoteric subjects such as 'Finding the Inner Teacher' and 'Holistic Vision', the latter attracting large numbers of participants, many of them from other countries as well as Britain. The college was jointly sponsored by the local authority and the University of Birmingham
University of Birmingham
The University of Birmingham is a British Redbrick university located in the city of Birmingham, England. It received its royal charter in 1900 as a successor to Birmingham Medical School and Mason Science College . Birmingham was the first Redbrick university to gain a charter and thus...
, both of whom looked askance at Sir George's attraction towards the mystical; and so it took immense moral courage, for instance, for him to present a course on 'Death and Becoming', a subject that was in those days virtually taboo
Taboo
A taboo is a strong social prohibition relating to any area of human activity or social custom that is sacred and or forbidden based on moral judgment, religious beliefs and or scientific consensus. Breaking the taboo is usually considered objectionable or abhorrent by society...
.
He was involved in the establishment of the Findhorn Foundation
Findhorn Foundation
The Findhorn Foundation is a Scottish charitable trust registered in 1972, formed by the spiritual community at the Findhorn Ecovillage, one of the largest intentional communities in Britain....
, the Gatekeeper Trust, and through his friendship with Wellesley Tudor Pole
Wellesley Tudor Pole
Major Wellesley Tudor Pole O.B.E. was a spiritualist and early British Bahá'í.He authored many pamphlets and books and was a lifelong pursuer of religious and mystical questions and visions, being particularly involved with spiritualism and the Bahá'í Faith as well as the quest for the Holy Grail...
, the Chalice Well
Chalice Well
Chalice Well is a holy well situated at the foot of Glastonbury Tor in the county of Somerset, England. The natural spring and surrounding gardens are owned and managed by the Chalice Well Trust , founded by Wellesley Tudor Pole in 1959.Archaeological evidence suggests that the well has been in...
and the Lamplighter Movement.
In 1971, he set up the Wrekin Trust
Wrekin Trust
The Wrekin Trust is a charity founded by Sir George Trevelyan in 1971, under the active encouragement of Air Marshal Victor Goddard. Its stated purpose is non-sectarian spiritual education. It aims to create "safe meeting spaces for connections, dialogue, learning and social action."...
to promote spiritual education and knowledge
In 1982, he was a recipient of the Right Livelihood Award
Right Livelihood Award
The Right Livelihood Award, also referred to as the "Alternative Nobel Prize", is a prestigious international award to honour those "working on practical and exemplary solutions to the most urgent challenges facing the world today". The prize was established in 1980 by Jakob von Uexkull, and is...
, the 'alternative Nobel Prize
Nobel Prize
The Nobel Prizes are annual international awards bestowed by Scandinavian committees in recognition of cultural and scientific advances. The will of the Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, established the prizes in 1895...
'.