Dr. Vernon Bernard Herbst

Born: 1885.

Died: 1950.

Dr. Vernon Bernard Herbst had been introduced to Max Schneider by Crowley, whom he had met in London. Max took him to meet Wilfred Talbot Smith on 20 January 1936. Herbst made it plain to Smith that he knew the secret of the IX°. He wanted Smith to read all the O.T.O. rituals to him, which seemed far too rushed a process; instead he read him through the Minerval degree and obligated him thereon. Herbst wanted more details on the IX°, which Smith refused him; Crowley had interested the doctor in his experiments in magical rejuvenation. Although they could tell Herbst had money, it was clear he did not want to commit himself further to the O.T.O.

Herbst put Jane Wolfe under a vow of silence, highly approved of by Crowley, but to no apparent end!

Without prior notice, Herbst left Los Angeles for China in May 1936, taking with him a copy of the Equinox, Vol III, No. 1 loaned to him by Smith.