Schuler, Alfred, 1865-1923

Alfred Schuler (22 November 1865 – 8 April 1923) was a German classicist, esotericist, ceremonial magician, mystagogue, writer, poet, and independent scholar. He was a co-founder and central esoteric figure of the Munich Cosmic Circle, a prominent group of Munich-based writers and intellectuals. Furthermore, he was a notable influence to poet Stefan George and philosopher Ludwig Klages, of whom he was a life-long friend, as well as other members of the Circle. The majority of his literary output was not published until after his death. Schuler studied law and archaeology at the University of Munich, and made his living as an independent scholar after his studies. Though devoid of political motives, Schuler's research into the historic significance of the swastika may have led to its appropriation by the Nazi movement. Schuler became highly critical of modern archaeology, seeing those in the discipline as "desecrators of graves ripping out of the earth what has been sanctified by the rite of burial, and confining to the unwholesome air of museums the lustrous force rightly working its mighty influence under the cover of darkness". Schuler adopted the title ultimus paganorum (lit. 'the last pagan'), and was believed to be reincarnate of a Roman citizen of the late imperial era. He held his own "rebirth into an unpleasant epoch" to be the responsibility of an evil demon. Schuler died during an operation meant to remove a malignant tumour. He was openly gay.