Evelyn was a poet, novelist, pacifist and mystic. Born into a well-educated, not particularly religious, family. Educated at home, then 3 years at a private school in Folkestone, she went on to King’s College, London. A nominal churchgoer, she became an agnostic. In 1907 she married Hubert Stuart Moore, that same year she had a “conversion” experience.

As an only child, devoted to her parents and her husband, she fully engaged in the life of a barrister's daughter and wife, entertaining and doing charitable work. She pursued a daily regimen including writing, research, worship, prayer and meditation. Her conviction that mysticism showed itself in love of others is reflected in her commitment to socialism and the plight of the poor.

1911 Evelyn's classic book, Mysticism was published, 20 more books followed. Her main theme was the love of God, that the way of love is the way of sacrifice. She also wrote on prayer, worship and new translations of older works on mysticism, introducing many to the classics of western mysticism. From 1925, her writings were more focused on the Holy Spirit. She taught about the pursuit of knowledge at the expense of spiritual depth.

The human mind’s thirst for more and more breadth has obscured the human heart’s craving for more and more depth. . . . Our interest rushes out to the furthest limits of the universe, but we seldom take a sounding of the ocean beneath our restless keels.

Evelyn is, one of the most widely read writers on Christian Mysticism in the 1st half of the 20th century, she helped many understand the mystical tradition. Her advice was always sensible and practical.

Evelyn was the 1st woman to lecture to the clergy in the Church of England, to officially conduct spiritual retreats, to establish ecumenical links between churches and to frequently lecture in English colleges and universities. An award-winning bookbinder, studying with the most renowned masters of the time, schooled in the classics, well read in Western spirituality, well informed (in addition to theology) in the philosophy, psychology, and physics of her day. A writer and reviewer for ‘The Spectator’ magazine. She was a spiritual director for hundreds of individuals, guest speaker, radio lecturer, and proponent of contemplative prayer. In recognition of her capabilities, King’s College made her a fellow of the college in 1927.

Evelyn had a vivid, lively personality, a keen sense of humor and great lightness of touch. She was interested in every side of life with a passion for efficiency in everything she undertook. Dealing with people, and especially her pupils, she was always a little shy, she hated “pushing souls about.” This love of souls coupled with the determination to help them to grow at God’s pace and not at their own or hers, won her the love and trust of all who went to her for help.

BORN: 6 December 1875, Wolverhampton, England

DIED:15 June 1941 (aged 65) London, England.