Rudolf Steiner is well known for his anthroposophy and Waldorf pedagogy, yet his personal life remains somewhat unknown. Which biographical events shaped his unique worldview, and how was his approach to spirituality influenced by the historical context in which he lived? Who were his influences, his friends, his enemies, and how did he compare with other reformers of his time? This presentation re-examines Steiner’s biography from a historical perspective while actively engaging with his esoteric abilities. Together, we will rediscover this deeply passionate and brilliant human being and thinker, someone who cared deeply about the problems facing both his age and our own.
Aaron French is a Postdoc researcher in the project ‘Twisting the Fabric of Space: On the Art and Politics of the Hidden’ at the University of Copenhagen, Department of Arts and Cultural Studies. His monograph Max Weber, Rudolf Steiner, and Modern Western Esotericism: A Transcultural Approach was published by Routledge in 2025. His article ‘Esotericism against Capitalism? Rudolf Steiner’s Reform Pedagogy as a Site of Resistance’ is currently available in the open access journal Approaching Religion. He is also the co-editor of the book Modernity and the Construction of Sacred Space (De Gruyter, 2024), which focuses on modern architecture and sacred space.