Charles Johnston (travel writer)

Charles Johnston (1870-1931) was an Irish journalist, author, translator, and Theosophist known primarily for his travel writing and esoteric studies. Born in Ballykilbeg, County Down, Ireland, he emigrated to the United States in 1896.

Johnston distinguished himself as a translator of Sanskrit and other Eastern texts, bringing Eastern philosophy and religion to a wider Western audience. He contributed significantly to the Theosophical movement through his writing and translations, particularly focusing on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and the Bhagavad Gita.

His travel writing often reflected his interest in Eastern cultures and his spiritual perspective. While the exact titles of all his travelogues may vary depending on bibliographic sources, he contributed articles to various publications detailing his journeys and observations. His writing style often combined ethnographic detail with a philosophical and spiritual interpretation of the places he visited and the people he encountered. He served as a correspondent for various newspapers and magazines, reporting on events from a variety of locations. He had a particular interest in Russia and its culture, even serving as a civil servant there for a brief period.