|
Glencairn Museum to host Sir John Templeton Sir John Marks Templeton, founder of the Templeton Mutual Funds and creator of the $1 million plus Templeton Prize for Progress in Religion, will share insights from his new book, Wisdom From World Religions: Pathways Toward Heaven on Earth, Oct. 6 at Glencairn Museum in Bryn Athyn. Templeton, founder of the philanthropic Templeton Foundation headquartered in Radnor, is making time in his busy schedule for a rare public appearance, according to Reuben Bell III, events and public relations coordinator for the museum, whose mission and setting, Bell said, are in harmony with Templeton's work. Glencairn, the 10-story former home of devout Swedenborgians Raymond and Mildred Pitcairn, includes in its architecture and adornments biblical texts and quotes from the writings of Swedish scientist and theologian Emanuel Swedenborg. Glencairn, which shares the history of world religions through its collections of sculpture, pottery and ancient artifacts, is one of only a few museums of its kind in the world, Bell said. Two others focusing on world religions are in Glasgow and Taipei. Templeton, whose foundation awards some $30 million a year for projects, college courses, books and essays exploring the relationship of science and religion, is the author and editor of numerous books on science and religion that encourage humility, optimism, scientific research of spiritual principles and an increase in the study of spirituality. In 1972, he established the Templeton Prize for Progress in Religion, which recognizes progress toward research or discoveries about spiritual realities. Awarded each year in London, the prize is funded slightly above the Nobel Prizes in the belief, the Foundation says, that innovators in religious actions and thought should be recognized with equal status. Recipients have included author Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, Mother Teresa of Calcutta and evangelist the Rev. Billy Graham. Templeton, who lives in Nassau, the Bahamas, and will celebrate his
90th birthday in November, was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1987
for his numerous accomplishments. Born in Tennessee, he studied at Yale
University during the Depression and, as a Rhodes Scholar, received an
M.A. degree in law from Balliol College at Oxford. He began his Wall Street
career in 1937 and in 1954 launched his inaugural fund, Templeton Growth,
Ltd. In 1992, he sold the Templeton funds to the Franklin Group for $440
million and said of his current vocation, I focus on spiritual
wealth now and I'm busier, more enthusiastic and more joyful than
I ever have been.
Contacts: |