Charles Richard Cammell

Born: 1890.

Died: 1968.

Charles Richard Cammell was an author, remembered today as a poet of both children's verse and of World War I. He was also the author of the book Aleister Crowley: The Man, the Mage, the Poet.

He first met Crowley in 1936 at a luncheon for their mutual friend Gwendolen Otter where Crowley impressed Cammell by correctly guessing his sun sign.

Shortly thereafter, Crowley called him with a dinner invitation. Asked if he liked curry, Cammell, a connoisseur of spicy food, taunted Crowley with the response, "Yes, but very mild please." Crowley, of course, conjured his most infernal curry, which to his surprise Cammell devoured with impunity. Astonished that his liquid fire had failed to burn a hole in Cammell's tongue, he finally asked, "Did You like it?"

"It was delicious," Cammell remarked.

"Not too hot?"

"No, not at all. In fact, it was rather mild."

"Would you like some more?"

"Please, and make it plenty."

This was all too much. "I suppose you'd like some vodka after your wine."

"Yes," he nodded, "I would."

With that, Cammell passed into the ranks of Crowley's closest friends.

When Crowley provided Cammell with a copy of his Book of the Law the poet curiously read it until he reached chapter three and could read no further. He confronted Crowley for printing such inexcusable blasphemy. Shaken and lamentful, Crowley pleaded that he was simply the book's stenographer, not its author, and that he had acted on orders to publish the book in unaltered form. Cammell found Crowley's excuses lame and despite his love of books, he was compelled to burn the volume.

Cammell's relationship with Crowley ended in 1941 over an argument about money and Crowley's treatment of his wife, Ionia. Ionia had sent samples of her handmade tweeds to Crowley to see if he could interest any of his friends in purchasing them. Crowley promptly sold them all to his various acquaintances and kept the money for himself. Ionia sought payment from him, and although Crowley laughed if off at first, the matter become a bone of contention that caused a rift in their relationship. Although Cammell continued to admire Crowley's talent as a poet, his behavior mystified him. Standing by his wife, Cammell decided honor prohibited continuing their friendship and the two would never speak again.