THE DAILY HERALD

London, England

2 December 1947

(page 3)

‘World’s Worst Man’ Dies.

Aleister Crowley, once called the “worst man in the world,” and accused of black magic and drug peddling, died suddenly yesterday at Hastings at the age of 72.

Between the wars he was the centre of fantastic stories alleging that he celebrated the Black Mass, raised devils and took part in obscene rituals.

In 1934 he brought a libel action against Miss Nina Hamnett whose book “Laughing Torso” said he practiced black magic.

“Abominable”

But the case was stopped by the jury, and Mr. Justice Swift said:

“I thought that I knew of every conceivable form of wickedness.

“I have learned in this case that we can always learn something more if we live long enough.

“I have never heard such dreadful, horrible, blasphemous and abominable stuff as that which has been produced by the man who describes himself as the greatest living poet.”

Edward Alexander Crowley—to use his full name—was born in Leamington and educated at Cambridge.

His occult studies took him to China and Tibet. Later he practiced magic in a temple in Chancery Lane W.C.