Sophia Wellbeloved

Sophia Wellbeloved was born in Ireland, and is an historian of Western Esotericism, with special reference to 1920s and 1930s Paris, focusing on the life and writings of G. I. Gurdjieff (1866? – 1949). Awarded a PhD at King's College, London in 1999. She is the author of research papers and books relating to Gurdjieff, these include "Gurdjieff, Astrology & Beelzebub’s Tales," 2002 and "Gurdjieff: The Key Concepts," Routledge, London and New York, 2003. She was the Director of Lighthouse Editions, 2005 – 2012, which published books related to Gurdjieff, and a co-founder in 2006 of the Cambridge Centre for the Study of Esotericism.[1]

Wellbeloved was a member of the Gurdjieff Society in London between 1962 and 1975.[2]

Wellbeloved was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1940. She received her education at Newtown Quaker School, Ireland, 1951-55; Beechlawn Tutorial College, Oxford, 1955-56; Ruskin School of Art, Oxford, 1955-56; Saint Martin's School of Art, London, 1956-60; Central School of Art and Design, London, 1961; King's College, London, Ph.D. 1996–99.[3] She has identified her tutors and influences as Cecil Collins, 1960-61; Henriette Lannes, Maurice Deselle, Henri Tracol, and others in the Gurdjieff Society, London, 1962–75; the Rev. Donald Reeves and the Anglican community at St. James Church, Piccadilly, 1984-2004.

From 1984 to 1991, she worked as a part-time tutor teaching sculpture at Central Saint Martins.

Exhibitions (1980–92): Royal Festival Hall, Bath Festival, Henley Festival, Royal Institute of British Architects; Domenga Gallery, Basle, Switzerland, and at Art Fairs in Basle, London, and Los Angeles.