THE TIMES

London, England

2 May 1935

(page 4)

AN AUTHOR’S AFFAIRS.

PUBLIC EXAMINATION CONCLUDED.

Mr. Registrar Warmington presided at a sitting of the Bankruptcy Court yesterday for the public examination of Mr. Edward Alexander Crowley, author. An order of adjudication was made on February 22, 1935. The accounts show liabilities £4,695 and assets consisting of a book debt of £15,000, regarded as irrecoverable.

Replying to Mr. Bruce Park, Assistant Official Receiver, the debtor stated that for many years he had been engaged in writing books, articles, &c., and in scientific research work.

Asked if he had been known by any other names, the witness replied: “Hundreds. Nearly every time I wrote a book I invented a name to fir the book.”

Mr. Crowley said that no income-tax papers had been served on him since the War. He never inquired the reason for the omission because he had lived abroad almost all the time. In 1926 he and two other persons formed a “pool” to start (1) the publication of the results of his research work; and (2) a world movement based on his philosophical theses. The work of the “pool” was discontinued in 1932, since which time his income and earnings had been small and he had to borrow money.

The debtor further stated that in 1932, he issued a writ against the printers, publishers, and author of a book claiming, inter alia, damages for libel. He did not want to recover substantial damages, but merely an apology and nominal damages. In April, 1934, judgment was given against him with costs, and his appeal against that decision was dismissed in the following November.

Mr. Bruce Park.—You attribute your insolvency partly to a boycott of your work and writings in this country. Would it not be fairer to say that the public did not buy the books?—No, it would be grossly unfair and untrue. The fact is that I could not get at the public and public could not get at me.

The debtor admitted that certain of his books had not been boycotted. He could not agree that he had been grossly extravagant in his living.

Asked what he was now doing, Mr. Crowley said he was trying to sell his services. He was under contract to write articles for a Sunday newspaper. That contract had been broken and he had obtained the permission of the Official Receiver to launch an action for breach of contract.

The examination was concluded.