Aleister Crowley

BORN in Warwickshire in 1875, Crowley became an influential member of several occult organisations, including the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and the Ordo Templi Orientis.

And while some deny claims the self- confessed ‘ prophet’ – who founded a hedonistic religion called Thelema where followers were urged ‘ Do what thou wilt’ – was a Satanist, his writings certainly veer towards the Devil.

He wrote: “With my Hawk’s head I peck at the eyes of Jesus as he hangs upon the cross.”

Crowley also talked of being Satan’s servant, adding: “The Devil, our Lord… whose number of magick is 666, the seal of his servant, the Beast.”