Ernest Shurtleff Holmes was a pivotal figure in the New Thought movement as a writer, teacher, and leader. He is renowned for founding the spiritual movement known as Religious Science, a part of the broader New Thought movement, as well as the Science of Mind philosophy he developed.
Ernest Holmes was born in Lincoln in a modest family in Maine. When he was 15, he left his family and school for Boston. He worked in a store from 1908 to 1910 to pay for his education at the Leland Powers School of Expression in Boston, where he discovered Christian Science and Mary Baker Eddy's works.
In 1912, Holmes moved to Venice, California, joining his brother Fenwicke. While working for the city government, he delved into the teachings of prominent figures such as Thomas Troward, Ralph Waldo Emerson, William Walker Atkinson, and Christian D. Larson. His studies in Divine Science led to his ordination as a Divine Science Minister.
Holmes' most influential work, "The Science of Mind," was published in 1926, forming the cornerstone of his teachings. He also authored The Creative Mind (1919), his first book, and numerous other metaphysical books. In addition to his writing, he founded Science of Mind magazine in 1927.
Holmes' teachings and lectures gained immense popularity, leading him to speak at large venues like the Ebell Theatre and the Wiltern Theatre. His Institute of Religious Science and School of Philosophy, later known as the Church of Religious Science, was founded in 1927. His philosophy and teachings have had a lasting impact, influencing the New Thought and the self-help movement.
Holmes married Hazel Durkee Foster in 1927. They remained together until her death in 1957.
Ernest Holmes passed away on April 7, 1960. Today, his teachings and the Science of Mind philosophy are perpetuated by organizations like the Centers for Spiritual Living and through his widely read books, including audiobook versions of his works like Creative Mind and Creative Mind and Success.
