- 1898-12-10 —
The first Western pilgrims arrived in `Akká. [AB68; BBD13; BBRXXX; DH214; GPB257; SCU13; Bahá'í Teachings]
- See MBBA146-152 for a description of how arrangements were made to accommodate the Western visitors in a relatively new city with no hotels and few houses. The city was built to accommodate the construction of the Suez Canal which had been completed in 1869. Other sources indicate that the pilgrims were accommodated in Cairo.
- 'Abdu'l-Bahá expressed His appreciation to Mírzá Áqá Nuri'd-Din for his service in accommodating the Western pilgrims. His Tablet seems to indicate that he was kept in place for that purpose. [MBBA152]
- They divided themselves into three parties, using Cairo as a staging post. [AB68; BFA1:143; SBBH1:93]
- See AB68–72; BFA2:9; DH61; GPB257, 259 for those included in the pilgrimage group.
- Included were Mrs Hearst's nieces, a few American friends and, joining in London, Mrs Mary Thornburgh-Cropper and her mother. [SCU13. CH234-236; LDNW15]
- In Paris the group was joined by two nieces of Mrs Hearst, Mrs Thornburgh, her daughter Miriam Thornburgh-Cropper and May Bolles. [AB68]
- LDNW15 says that Ella Goodall and Nell Hillyer and May Bolles joined the party in Paris.
- There were further additions in Egypt. [AB68]
- See BFA1:143–4 for those included in the first group.
- Among the group was Robert Turner, the first member of the Black race to become a Bahá'í. For 35 years, Turner faithfully served as butler to Phoebe Apperson Hearst and Senator George Hearst, parents of newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst. [AB72; BBD227; BFA1:139; GPB259]
- `Abdu'l-Bahá received the pilgrims in the House of `Abdu'lláh Páshá. [BBD13, 108; DH61]
- See AB68–71; BW16:104–5; CH235–6 and GPB257–9 for the pilgrims' responses to the pilgrimage.
- Edward Getsinger made a recording of `Abdu'l-Bahá chanting a prayer. [BFA1:160]
- Getsinger also took photographs that he later tinted and published as an album. [LDNW16]
- On the 18th of January, 1899, Lua received her first Tablet from 'Abdu'l-Bahá, in fact, it was the first Tablet addressed to a North American believer. [LGHC23]
- See TF31-52 for details of Lua Getsinger's pilgrim experience and TF44-46 for 'Abdu'l-Bahá's parting remarks to the pilgrims.
- The Getsingers returned from the pilgrimage with an Arabic copy of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas which was later translated by Anton Haddad. They departed on the 23rd of March, 1899. [BFA2:11; LGHC30]
- See Star of the West, vol. VII, No. 4 or "Lua Getsinger - Herald of the Covenant" By Amine DeMille for a description of how 'Abdu'l-Bahá gave Lua the power to speak eloquently. [LDNW15] iiiii
- 1898-12-20 —
The second group of Western pilgrims arrived in `Akká, and stayed three days before returning to Cairo to resume their plan for a six-week trip up the Nile which began soon after New Year's Day. [BFA1:145]
- Included in this group were Phoebe Hearst, Amalie Bachrodt, Mrs Thornburg and possibly Robert Turner.
The Hearst group arrived incognito and in the dark to protect her reputation and that of her son . In spite of these precautions the authorities became aware that visitors had come to see the Prisoner of Akka and limitations upon Him were increased. [BFA1:145]
- This group remained for three days and were back in Cairo for Christmas. [BFA1p145]
- 1899-02-16 —
The third group of Western pilgrims arrived in the Holy Land after completing their six-week cruise on the Nile.
- The group consisted of Anne Apperson, Julia Pearson and Robert Turner.
- As the pilgrims prepared to depart May Bolles and Maryam Thornburgh-Cropper, Mrs Thornburgh's daughter, arrived in Port Said from Marseilles. The two women proceeded directly to Haifa. [BFA1:145]
- See EP12-13 for May Maxwell's reaction to meeting 'Abdu'l-Bahá for the first time.
- 1906-03-00 —
Mrs Whyte, the wife of a well-known Scottish clergyman, made a pilgrimage to `Akká with Mary Virginia Thornburgh-Cropper. In answer to a letter that Mrs Whyte left for `Abdu'l-Bahá upon their departure, He revealed the Tablet the `Seven Candles of Unity'. [AB361–2, SCU4554]
- See AB360–2 and SWAB29–32 for text of the Tablet.
- See AB355–9, BW4396-399 and SBR20–1 for accounts of Mrs Whyte's pilgrimage.
- See also Anjam Khursheed's, The Seven Candles of Unity pg45-54.
- Her account of the meeting with 'Abdu'l-Bahá can be found in Seven Candles of Unity: the Story of 'Abdu'l-Bahá in Edinburgh (London: Bahá'í Publishing Trust, 1991). [Scottish Women: A Documentary History, 1780-1914 by Esther Breitenbach and Linda Fleming p.213]
- 1910-11-20 — Leo Tolstoy was a Russian aristocrat, novelist, and moral philosopher (b. 9 September 1828 in Yasnaya Polyana, Russia; d. 20 November 1910 in Astapovo, Russia). He is regarded as one of the greatest and most influential authors of all time. His War and Peace (1869), Anna Karenina (1878), and Resurrection (1899), are often cited as pinnacles of realist fiction and three of the greatest novels ever written. [Wikipedia]
As a child he accepted and assimilated all the principles and dogma of the Orthodox Church. Even though he did not understand them he accepted them blindly. Tormented by the fact that he could not reconcile the beliefs of the religion of his fathers with reason, he became a nihilist as a young adult but never abandoned his search for God and true religion.
In his book, The True LIfe published in 1878, in a chapter entitled The Gospel in Brief, he openly attacked the church and demonstrated that it was the main obstacle preventing man from practicing the ideals of Christ's teachings. Through his investigations of other religions, of Buddha, of Lao-Tse, Zoroaster and Muhammad, he concluded that all of the major religions had deviated from the original teaching of their Founders.
On 5 September 1894 he received a notebook sent to him by his Turkish Translator Olga Sergeyevna Lebedova which contained a translation of an article about the Bábí Faith. His reply to her indicated that he had already heard of it but there is no evidence of when or from where. In 1852 two newspapers, La Revue de Genève (4 November) and the Journal de Genève had given accounts of the martyrdom of the Báb, perhaps he had seen these articles. He asked her for additional information.
In April 1898 he was visited by three people well-known in European literary circles. These three writers noted his interest in the Bábí Faith and sent him a book on the subject. [LTBF18]
By 1901 he was excommunicated and so in the same year he published A reply to the Synod's Edict of Excommunication and to Letters Concerning it that was a succinct expression of his religious ideas. [LTBF11]
Gabriel Sacy, a Frenchman of Syrian origin, living in Cairo, who had been born a Jew, converted to Islam, then to Christianity and then embraced the Bahá'í Faith, wrote to him 13 May 1901 to share his beliefs. This would have been the first time that Tolstoy heard of the Bahá'í Faith from a believer. At this time he considered that the Bábí Faith was a religious movement limited to the East, an attitude prevalent at the time. [LFBF22-23]
Tolstoy was in Gaspra in the Crimea recovering after a serious illness when on 27 May 1902 he was approached by a merchant named Kasím Basiravov, a Bahá'í who had decided to contact him. This was the first time that he had met with a believer. [LFBF26]
A few months later, on 14 September, he was visited by a Persian merchant named Mirza Azizu'lláh Jadhdháb Khurasáni. He left a full account of the five days he spent with Tolstoy. They discussed the fulfillment of prophecy, the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, the principles of the Faith, the administration, the example of Bahá'í life functioning in Isahqábád, and the station of 'Abdu'l-Bahá from whom he brought this message, "Act that your name may leave a good memory in the world of religion." Tolstoy asked for more writings and Mirza Azizu'lláh offered to contact Mirza Alí-Akbar Nakhjavani in Bákú who was capable of corresponding with him in Russian. [LTBF26-31; EB185-190]
The nineteenth century saw a flowering of anarchist thought broadly characterized by a “rejection of the familiar norms and structures, especially the political ones, of their age” and a belief that humanity ought to live free of government structures and in accord with nature. His writings were the basis for what has been called Christian socialism. In her work among the poor, Mrs. Thornburgh-Cropper came in contact with John Kenworthy, an influential person in this area and someone who had visited Tolstoy twice. 'Abdu'l-Bahá wrote to her in 1901 with advice for Mr. Kenworthy on how to approach Tolstoy. [BCBI226; LTBF53]
The drama “Báb” by Isabella Grinevskaya was published in May, 1903, and was mounted in one of the principal theaters in St. Petersburg in January, 1904. It was this drama that brought to Count Leo Tolstoy a knowledge of the Bahá’í teachings. He read the book and at once wrote to Mrs. Grinevskaya expressing his appreciation for her great drama and his sympathy with the Bahá’í Movement. The letter was subsequently printed in the Russian press. [BW6p707].
See as well Count Leo Tolstoy and the Bahá'í Movement by Martha Root in Bahá'í World Vol 5 p642.
See Lev Tolstoi and the Bábí and Bahá’í Faiths A Bibliography by William P. Collins and Jan T. Jasion first published in the Journal of Bahá’í Studies Vol. 3, number 3 (1991). The authors state that Tolstoy corresponded with the following Bahá'ís: Hippolyte Dreyfus, Izabella Grinevskaia, Dr. Yúnis Khán-i-Afrúkhtih, ‘A1i-Akbar Nakhjavání, Gabriel Sacy, and Mrs. Thornburgh-Cropper. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá mentioned Tolstoy in correspondence to Nakhjavání, Sacy, Thornburgh-Cropper, Dreyfus, and Laura Clifford-Barney.
On 4 April 1904 Hippolyte Dreyfus sent Tolstoy his newly published French translation of the Kitáb-i-Iqán (Le Livre de Certitude). He replied to Dreyfus that the book "put him off Bahá'u'lláh's teachings". It contradicted his belief that Abraham, Moses, Christ, Mohammad had all been ordinary men and not divine Messenger. Notwithstanding this, he continued to recommend the study of the Faith to his correspondents, nor did he stop investigating the Faith himself. [LTBF33-34]
By December of 1908 Tolstoy's opinion of the Bahá'í Faith had somewhat evolved, he said, in part, "Baháism...is one of the highest and purest of religious teachings." He had a particular respect for the Bahá'í Faith because of its acceptance of all of the former religions, but did not appear to have grasped the concept of progressive revelation. Within a year's time he had a clearer idea about the three central figures of the Faith and their functions and roles. [LTBF40, 43, 52]
There is no evidence of any communication from 'Abdu'l-Bahá to Tolstoy, however he did refer to his work in many tablets and offered advice to those who wanted to meet or correspond with him. Mirza 'Alí-Akbar Nakhjavani, a resident of Baku, wrote to 'Abdu'l-Bahá for such council. He advised him to treat him with the utmost courtesy and fair-mindedness and suggested he give him a copy of a letter He had addressed to the believers in the East and the West that had been translated into Russian. (This tablet can be found in Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá #225 p283-295; Tablet of the Two Calls; Russian translation here) Tolstoy replied to Nakhjavani's correspondence on 22 September 1909 stating that he had the intention of writing a book about the Bahá'í Faith but It appeared that he had some reservations that prevented him from complete acceptance of the Faith. In all likelihood he could not accept the idea of a manifestation from God. The promised book was not finished at the time of his passing. [LTBF49-50, 55; ABBAS88-89]
Tolstoy died on 20 November 1910 at the age of 82. Two thousand people attended his funeral. Three choirs sang. There were no eulogies, as per the family's request, although 100 students had asked to speak. According to some sources, Tolstoy spent the last hours of his life preaching love, non-violence, and Georgism. A 2009 film about Tolstoy's final year, The Last Station based on the 1990 novel by Jay Parini, was made by director Michael Hoffman with Christopher Plummer as Tolstoy and Helen Mirren as Sofya Tolstoya. Both performers were nominated for Oscars for their roles. [Wikipedia]
The Tolstoy bibliography.
The book Leo Tolstoy and the Bahá'í Faith was written by Luigi Standard and translated from Russian, Persian and French to English by Jeremy Fox. It was published by George Ronald in 1985.
- 1911-09-04 —
`Abdu'l-Bahá arrived in London accompanied by His secretary, Mírzá Mahmúd and Khusraw, His servant. This marked His first visit to the country and lasted 29 days. [ABL53, AB140; GBP280; SBR22, 148, BW4p378, In the Footsteps of the Master p.5]
- CH149 says He arrived 8 September and 3 September as per the UK Bahá'í site.
- Those Bahá'ís who assembled to meet him were listed as: Lady Blomfield (in whose home at 97 Cadogan Gardens He stayed), Mrs Thornburg-Cropper, Miss Ethel Rosenberg, Miss Gamble, Miss Herrick, Mrs Scaramucci, Miss Elsie Lee, Mr Catanach, Mr Cuthbert, Mr and Mrs Jenner, Miss Yandell, Miss Julia Culver, Mrs Stannard, Mr and Mrs Eric Hammond, The Rev Harrold Johnston, The Rev Cooper Hunt, Miss Juliet Thompson, Mrs Louise Waite, Mrs Movius, Mrs Claudia Coles, Mr Mountfort Mills, Mr Mason Remey and Miss Drake Wright. Mr and Mrs Dreyfus-Barney provided translation. In addition there were a number of Persians who took the opportunity to meet Him. [BW4p377]
- As described by Lady Blomfield those who came to see him were: "Ministers and missionaries, Oriental scholars and occult students practical men of affairs and mystics, Anglican-Catholics and Nonconformists, Theosophists and Hindus, Christian Scientists and doctors of medicine, Muslims, Buddhists, and Zoroastrians. There also called: politicians, Salvation Army soldiers, and other workers for human good, women suffragists, journalists, writers, poets and healers dress-makers and great ladies, artists and artisans, poor workless people and prosperous merchants, members of the dramatic and musical world, these all came; and none were too lowly nor too great to receive the sympathetic consideration of this holy Messenger, who was ever giving His life for others' good." In addition there was a representation from the Bramo-Somaj Society, a Hindu reform group. [CH150-152]
- See BW4p377 where Lady Blomfield reported that Prince Jalalu'd-Dawlih entreated to be received by 'Abdu'l-Bahá and when in His presence fell prostrate and implored pardon for his crimes. (see 1891 19 May) [BW4p377]
- Among the list of visitors were: Professor Edward Granville Browne, Mr Tudor-Pole, Emmeline Pankhurst, a British political activist and leader of the British suffragette movement who helped women win the right to vote. [BW4p377]
- See BW4p381 for the story of a homeless, suicidal man who had seen a picture of 'Abdu'l-Bahá in a newspaper in a shop window.
- See BW4p382-383 for the story of the persistent journalist who imposed upon the appointment of two ladies from Scotland who had journeyed all that day and intended to make the return voyage that same evening.
- For details of His stay in England see AB140–58 and GPB283–5.
- It is implied that 'Abdu'l-Bahá was attended by Dr Lutfu-lláh Hakím while in London. [BW4p380]
- During His stay in London 'Abdu'l-Bahá received death threats by anonymous letter and he was advised to give up He planned journey to Egypt. He ignored them. [BW4p 387]
- During His stay in London He had professional photographs of Himself taken by the Irish photographer, James Lafayette (1853-1923). "...to have a picture of oneself is to emphasise the personality, which is merely the lamp, and is quite unimportant. The light burning within the lamp has the only real significance." [SBR25, BW4p383-384, ABF84]
- 1911-09-11 — Mrs. Thornburgh-Cropper gave an "At Home" to the believers and between fifty and sixty were present to meet Him. [SoW Vol 2 No 12 October 12, 1911 p2]
- 1911-09-13 —
Mrs Thornburgh-Cropper gave a reception for 'Abdu'l-Bahá at her home
31 Evelyn Mansions, Carlisle Place, Victoria for about 45 people. [ABL46-47, In the Footsteps of 'Abdu'l-Bahá p12, SYH40]
- His talk has been entitled, "Persian-English friendship and a brief history". ['Abdu'l-Bahá Speaks]
- 1922-05-31 —
The communities of London, Manchester and Bournemouth elected a Bahá'í Spiritual Assembly for England. [EJR213; SBR28, 67]
- This was also known as the Spiritual Assembly for London and the All-England Bahá'í Council. [EJR2 13; SBR67]
- See EJR213 and SBR28 for membership.
- The social centre of the London group was Ethel Rosenburg with Mrs Thornburgh-Cropper and later Lady Blomfield also playing significant roles. The group in Manchester came from the working- or lower middle-class background with Edward Hall and other men in leadership positions. The group in Bournemouth developed around Dr. Esslemont. In addition to these centres there were a few scattered isolated believers. [SBBH5p220]
- 1922-06-06 —
The All-England Bahá'í Council met for the first time. [SBR28; UD9, 468]
- EJR2 13 says it first met 17 June.
- The meeting was held in the home of Mrs Thornburgh-Cropper. [SBR28, 67]
- 1938-03-15 —
Mary Virginia Thornburgh-Cropper (Maryam Khánum), the first Bahá'í of the British Isles, passed away in Kensington, London.
- Find a Grave.
- She was known to her friends as Minnie and first heard of the Bahá'í Faith in 1898 when she was 41.
- She was an American living in London and had been married to an Englishman.
- Shortly after reading about the Báb in an encyclopedia, by coincidence, she was invited by her friend Phoebe Hearst to be part of the first group of Western Bahá'í pilgrims to visit 'Abdu'l-Bahá in the Holy Land.
- She is considered to be the first person to become a Bahá'í in the UK and throughout her life was a very active member of the community.
- She was a member of the first elected National Spiritual Assembly of England (later Great Britain).
- She made her motor-car available to 'Abdu'l-Bahá during His visits.
[SBR30, BW4p375, In the Footsteps of 'Abdu'l-Bahá p9]
- For details of her life see BSR17–30.
- For her obituary see BW8:649–51.
- Notes: It is possibly she, rather than her mother, Mrs Thornburgh, who is referred to as a Disciple of 'Abdu'l-Bahá in BW3:84–5. The picture is not that of Mrs Thornburgh-Cropper.
- For biographical information see The Early Years of the British Bahá'í Community 1898-1911 p70-75.
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