Arthur Edward Waite

Arthur Edward Waite (1857-1942) was an Anglo-American scholar, poet, and occultist. An influential member of the Theosophical Society and the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, he is best known for his contributions to the study of occultism, alchemy, and magic. Waite co-created the famous Rider-Waite tarot with artist Pamela Colman Smith, a deck that remains a major reference in the field of tarot. He also wrote numerous works on esoteric themes, including the Book of Black Magic and of Pacts.