Suicide

In every age of the world and in the history of almost every country, we find instances, more or less numerous, of men and women who, preferring the dim uncertainty of the future to the painful realities of the present, have sought relief from all their troubles by suddenly terminating their own existence. Misery and pain have been the lot of the human race ever since the dawn of history, and these causes have from the earliest times induced persons to destroy themselves, and even the fear of eternal punishment has not sufficed to deter them. This book examines the history, causation and jurisprudence of suicide. Particularly valuable are the author's professional insights. As a Deputy Coroner the author shares many personal experiences from his career where he dealt directly with suicide victims.

William Wynn Westcott (1848 – 1925) was a coroner, ceremonial magician, theosophist and Freemason born in Leamington, Warwickshire, England. He was a Supreme Magus of the S.R.I.A (Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia) and went on to co-found the Golden Dawn.