H.P. Blavatsky was born August 12th 1831 in Yekaterinoslav, Russia. After leaving Russia after an unconsummated arranged marriage, Helena became a prolific world traveler. She traveled the world with her second husband, Henry Steel Olcott, visiting Egypt, France, Germany, Mexico, South America, Canada, before settling in Madras, India. There, she founded the Theosophical Society. Theosophy's all-encompassing worldview proposes explanations for the origin, workings and ultimate fate of the whole of Existence. Blavatskys second published work, and most famous, is The Secret Doctrine, originally published as two volumes (Cosmogenesis and Anthropogenesis) in 1888. The Secret Doctrine is considered the most influential Occult work, and discusses topics such as the origin of humanity and its religions, attempting to reconcile eastern mysticism with western science. This edition of Cosmogenesis, Volume 1 of The Secret Doctrine, is specially formatted, includes the original illustrations, and a Table of Contents.