Elizabeth Gwendolen Otter

Born: 1877 in Sheffield, Yorkshire.

Died: 1958.

As one of Chelsea’s great hostesses, Elizabeth Gwendolen Otter considered herself unshockable. Her Sunday luncheons attracted all manner of actors, painters, and writers; she even took in her fair share of them. A friend introduced her to Aleister Crowley because of her fascination with the odd and unconventional. Crowley was an admirable addition to her collection of personalities, and the magician became good friends with this plain-looking woman who claimed descent from Pocahontas.

She contributed her opinions to the book review section of The Equinox, while he in turn dedicated “The Ghouls” to her and portrayed her in Moonchild as Mrs. Badger. Crowley also contributed two poems "A Slim Gilt Soul" and "A Galahad in Gomorrah" to her 1913 pamphlet The Writing on the Ground.