Jacques de Marquette

Jacques Colin Frédéric Albert Demarquette, best known as Jacques de Marquette (23 April 1888 – 22 August 1969) was a French naturist, pacifist, theosophist and vegetarianism activist. He was the founder of Trait d'Union and a naturist camping ground in Choisel. In 1924, Demarquette established the first vegetarian restaurant in Paris.

Biography

Demarquette was born in Paris and raised by Catholic parents.

He held a deep interest in mystical experiences. An ardent promoter of peace, he lectured in France and Germany on the principles of naturism and vegetarianism. He argued that they contributed to hygienic living and the progress of the "moral and spiritual values of which man is the bearer". He was president of the organization from 1953 to his death in 1969. The Association had six presidents between 1971 and 1980, when it dissolved. Demarquette was a vice-president of the International Vegetarian Union.

Mysticism

During the 1930s, Demarquette referred to himself as a Brahmin and was well read in the teachings of Upanishads. He authored Introduction to Comparative Mysticism in 1949. He defined mysticism as the "attempt to reach, while still alive in this world, a knowledge and experience of the next world promised by the teachings of religion and generally held to be experienced after death only".

Selected publications

Books Le scoutisme, méthode d'éducation intégrale (1920) Introduction to Comparative Mysticism (1949) L'essence de l'hindouisme, dieux, cultes, yoga (1957) Lueurs psychophysiques sur les religions de l'esprit (1961) Religion in the Light of Sciences (1963) Confessions D'Un Mystique Contemporain (1966) Le Créativisme (1969)

Translations Le but de la théosophie (1913)