Madame Helena Blavatsky (1831-1891) almost single-handedly revived interest in the occult and esoteric, and also introduced many Westerners to the religious ideas of the East, particularly Hinduism and Buddhism. She founded the Theosophical Society in New York City in 1875 to study the esoteric ideas behind the world's religions.
"""The Secret Doctrine assumes the dignity of a scripture, for in its pages eternal mysteries are clothed in ancient and modern terms, and to those who have eyes to see, the ageless wisdom is revealed."" --Manly P. Hall, author of The Secret Teachings of All Ages"