The prolific scholar who bridged the gap between publishing and the occult
In short: From managing major Australian art imprints to documenting shamanic traditions, Nevill Drury lived a dual life. An accomplished editor and anthropologist, he transformed the study of magic and spirituality from fringe interest into a globally recognized literary subject, spanning 26 countries and 19 languages.
Born in Hastings, England, in 1947, Nevill Drury’s intellectual journey took him from the Riverina District of New South Wales to the heights of the Australian publishing industry. While he worked as an English teacher in 1970, his later career saw him as a pivotal figure in art publishing. He helped found Craftsman House in 1981, which rose to become Australia's leading imprint for art books, and served as its publishing director for over a decade starting in 1989.
Drury’s academic rigor provided a foundation for his explorations of the esoteric. After studying at Sydney University, he earned a Master of Arts in anthropology from Macquarie University. In 2008, he received his PhD from the University of Newcastle for a dissertation focused on the magical beliefs and visionary art of Rosaleen Norton. This scholarly approach allowed him to produce over 40 books that treated subjects like shamanism, western magic, and the New Age movement with serious analytical depth.
His influence extended beyond the written word into film and television. In 1985, he co-produced and narrated the award-winning documentary 'The Occult Experience', which featured figures such as H. R. Giger and Janet and Stewart Farrar. Whether lecturing at the University of Queensland or appearing on ABC programs like 'The Ark', Drury acted as a prominent spokesperson for 'New Spirituality', documenting the intersection of ancient traditions and modern consciousness until his death in 2013.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Nevill Drury
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