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THE DAILY TELEGRAPH London, England 2 May 1935 (page 7)
NO TAX DEMANDS SINCE THE WAR
ALEISTER CROWLEY'S FAILURE
LIVING ON MONEY HE BORROWED
The public examination was held in the London Bankruptcy Court yesterday before Mr. Registrar Warmington, of Edward Alexander Crowley, author, known as Aleister Crowley.
His statement of affairs showed liabilities £4,710 (ranking £4,695), and assets a doubtful book debt of £15,000.
Examined by Mr. Bruce Park, assistant Official Receiver, Mr. Crowley said that he had been known by many other names, hundred in fact, because every time that he wrote a book he invented a name to fit it.
In 1926 he and other persons formed a “pool,” the objects of which, roughly speaking, were to publish the results of his research work and begin a world movement based on his theory of philosophy.
He then had no capital in liquid form: but possessed a large stock of books, which were valued at £20,000. Afterwards he was mainly dependent for living expenses on moneys derived from the “pool,” the work of which was discontinued in 1932.
Mr. Crowley said that no income-tax papers had been sent to him since before the war. He never inquired the reason for that, but he was living almost all the time abroad. Since January 1932 he had received only £78 from the sale of books and £135 from the writing of articles. He had also received £450 from a family trust.
Mr. Park: In those three years have you ever had any remunerative work or occupation except the sale of those books and the writing of two or three articles?—Not directly.
Mr. Crowley added that he had been living on money borrowed from a person whom he had promised to repay. Such repayment he hoped to make out of a reconstruction of the “pool.”
LIBEL SUIT LOST
In 1932 he issued a writ for libel against certain parties, but in April 1934 judgment was given against him. His appeal was dismissed.
He attributed his insolvency to the boycott of his work and writings in this country, to the non-receipt of capital which his associates in the “pool” had agreed to provide for it, to the loss of the libel action and to other causes.
Mr. Park: Would it not be fairer to say that the public did not buy the books?—It would be grossly unfair and untrue.
Mr. Crowley asserted that he could not get to the public and that the public could not get to him; but he admitted that certain books mentioned had not been boycotted.
Do you agree that you have been grossly extravagant in your living?—No.
Mr. Crowley said that he had never paid more than £3 3s a week for a flat. His tobacco cost him approximately 6s a week.
Mr. Park: Are you earning anything now?—I am trying to sell my services.
Mr. Crowley said that he had been under contract to write for a Sunday newspaper, but the contract had been broken, and he had obtained permission of the Official Receiver to sue for breach of contract..
Mr. Park: Are you living within your income now?—Yes; that is to say, I am not incurring any debts. I do not owe a penny to anybody except to these unfortunate creditors.
The examination was concluded. |