1. Art Institute of Chicago (Parliament of World Religions Site) 2. Commorative Plaque: (Art Institute of Chicago) 3. Honorary Swami Vivekananda Way, Michigan Avenue 4. Swami Vivekananda Statue: Donated By Vivekananda Vedanta Society of Chicago 5. Auditorium Building, Michigan Avenue (Swami Vivekananda Gave A Talk Here) 1. Gold Coast, Michigan Avenue (Swami Vivekananda Walked Here) 2. Hale Residence (Swami Vivekananda Stayed here in September 1893) 3. Hale Residence (Swami Vivekananda Stayed Here in Second Visit to America)
4. Old Dearborn Station (Swami Vivekananda Used This Train Station) 1. Columbian Exposition in 1893 (Swami Vivekananda Walked Here) 2. Ferris wheel (Swami Vivekananda Walked Here) 3. Women's Building (Swami Vivekananda Gave A Talk Here) 4. Museum Of Science & Industries (Swami Vivekananda Walked Here) 5. Cobb Hall, University Of Chicago (Swami
Vivekananda Gave A Talk Here)
1. Lincoln Park (Swami Vivekananda Walked Here) 2. Lake Michigan (Swami Vivekananda Had Vision of Sri Ramakrishna) 3. Marshall Field’s Store (Swami Vivekananda Visited Here)
4. Hotel Richelieu, Michigan Avenue (Swami Vivekananda Gave A Talk Here) . Hinsdale Unitarian Church, Hinsdale (Swami Vivekananda Gave A Talk Here) 2. Harbert Residence, Evanston (Swami Vivekananda Gave A Talk Here) 3. Bradley Residence, N. Hinman Ave. (Swami Vivekananda Gave A Talk Here) 4. Elisha Gray's Residence, Highland Park (Swami Vivekananda Gave A Talk Here)
5. Hull House, S Halsted (Swami Vivekananda Gave A Talk Here)
Art Institute of Chicago: 111 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago Swamiji’s most famous discourse "Response to Welcome" was delivered at the Hall of Columbus at the Art Institute of Chicago in 1893. Swamiji spoke several times at the Art Institute. He attended Charles Bonney’s reception at the Art Institute and also led the conference at Scientific Section of Parliament. Many additions to the original Art Institute have been constructed over the years and the interior has been considerably modified. The Hall
of Columbus is no longer there Fullerton Hall now occupies the place where the speaker’s platform and a part of the gallery were located in 1893 during the Parliament of World's Religions
Commemorative Plaque: Art Institute of Chicago Swami Chidananda (President of Vivekananda Vedanta Society of Chicago) has made great strides to publicly honor the memory of Swami Vivekananda in Chicago. Under his dynamic initiative and leadership the following honors were made: On September 11, 1995: At the Art Institute of Chicago, (which was the site of the Parliament of Religions in 1893,) a bronze plaque was installed commemorating Swamiji’s historic address at the Parliament.
Swami Vivekananda Way: Michigan Ave. In front of Art Institute of Chicago On November 11, 1995: The portion of Michigan Avenue directly in front of the Art Institute was renamed "Swami Vivekananda Way."
Statue of Swami Vivekananda: Installed At the Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago On Sunday, July 12, 1998: A 10' 2" bronze statue of Swami Vivekananda, the largest public statue of Vivekananda in America, was installed at 4:00 pm at the Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago, Lemont, Illinois. This statue was installed on "Vivekananda Hill", a hillock in the temple compound, which overlooks the main entrance. The installation of the statue is yet another step in the direction of making Swami Vivekananda's memory immortal in the great city of Chicago. This statue was
conceptualized & gifted by Swami Chidananda, President of The Vivekananda Vedanta Society of Chicago. The then Vice President of the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, Swami Atmasthananda, performed the dedication. The statue was unveiled by Shri J.C. Sharma, Consul General of India, and Chicago at an elaborate ceremony. The ceremony was attended by more than 2,000 people. The ceremony began with a purificatory ceremony by temple priests which was followed by a welcome address by Mr. GLN Reddy, President of Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago and an introduction by Swami Chidananda, President of The Vivekananda Vedanta Society of Chicago. Mr. Amrish Mahajan, Chairperson of Vivekananda Statue Committee, gave a brief speech which was followed by an address by Hon'ble Shri JC Sharma, Consul General. While referring to a number of quotes from Swami Vivekananda's works, Consul General underlined the importance of his message of one universal religion and his interpretation of the East. He remarked that it was rather unfortunate that fanaticism and hatred in the name of religion still existed in this world and hoped that the statue would remind us of Swami Vivekananda's message of the universality of religion and bring peace to
earth. Consul General unveiled the statue which was later dedicated by Swami Atmasthananda, (then) Vice President of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, India. This was followed by a devotional song (bhajan) by Anuradha Paudwal, a noted singer from India. Swami Atmasthananda while addressing the audience brought out some of the important messages of Swami Vivekananda. A souvenir on the occasion was released by Hon'ble Shri Bangaru Lakshman, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha). While commending the efforts of the Vedanta Society, he appreciated the great city of Chicago for its role in making Swami Vivekananda a world leader and a hero. He recalled a number of his teachings and reminded the audience that Swami Vivekananda believed in leading a life in totality and not in renunciation. He underlined the fact that India in its 5,000 years of history has never committed aggression and has been pursuing the path of spirituality and peace. He narrated a few anecdotes from his life indicating how Swami Vivekananda believed in equality of all religions and people and how he disliked untouchability. He affirmed his belief that Swami Vivekananda’s thoughts would continue to guide the world
and make world a better place to live. Messages from various dignitaries who could not attend the function were read out. Swamis from Vedanta Societies/ Ramakrishna Missions in other cities of the North America (Toronto, San Francisco, New York, Seattle, Portland, and Sacramento) also gave brief talks. The ceremony concluded with vote of thanks and devotional songs (bhajans). This This 10-foot, 2 inch bronze image of Swami Vivekananda in a standing pose was modelled after his photograph taken in Chicago after his appearance at the world's Parliament of Religions in 1893. Swami Vivekananda's important contributions have been recognized by both America and India. During America's bi-centennial celebrations in 1976, the National Portrait Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution included Swami Vivekananda among the 29 eminent foreign visitors described in its book, 'Abroad in America'.
Auditorium Building: 430 S. Michigan Ave. The Auditorium building ranks second only to the Art Institute, for He visited this institution numerous times for various reasons. The building, owned by Roosevelt University since 1946, is one of Chicago’s important cultural & architectural landmarks. Swamiji held classes every day at Florence Adams’ room at the Auditorium Building from January 1 to January 16, 1895.
Gold Coast: 1400 - 1600 N. Dearborn Street, Chicago (On the morning of September 10, 1893 Swamiji walked east from the Chicago and Northwestern Station. Hungry and tired, he begged for food & directions to the Parliament office as He plodded through the Gold Coast. The Gold Coast area was an exclusive residential neighborhood where the Potter Palmers lived. The people and butlers had no time or sympathy for a strange looking monk, in rumpled clothes & with a travel worn appearance and slammed the doors in His face. Swamiji traveled the entire area of what is now known as the "Gold Coast", still an exclusive residential area.
"Hale Residence" was Swami Vivekananda’s home in Chicago Hale Residence: 1415 North Dearborn Street (New Address) 541 Dearborn Ave. (old address) Chicago Swamiji arrived tired at the north end of Dearborn Avenue, 2 blocks from Lincoln Park. Totally exhausted, he sat down on the curb on the opposite side of the Hale home at 541 Dearborn Avenue. Mrs. Ellen Hale saw him and took Swamiji into her home and heart. She took Swamiji to meet the officials of the Parliament of World's Religions and set the chain of events in motion that would go down in history as the initiation of the Vedanta movement in the West. He stayed
here in 1893 (Nov. & Dec), 1894 (May & June) & 1985 (Jan.). He also asked that all letters written to Him should be addressed to the Hale Residence even when He was travelling. The Hale home was demolished in the late 1960’s and a high rise apartment complex built on the site. The high rise building now is 1415 North Dearborn Street.
Second Hale Residence: 1210 North Astor Street, Chicago On His second visit to the West Swamiji stayed with the Hales again. Mary Hale threw a party in Swamiji’s honor the day after Swamiji arrived in Chicago. On November 27, 1899 Swamiji gave a lecture at the Hale residence in the form of a parlor talk. The McConnell Building is presently at
1210 N. Astor Street. At the northwest corner of Astor & Division Streets, the building stands tall among the others around it. It is part of the ‘Astor Street Historic District’ & is located within the Gold Coast area of Chicago.
Dearborn Station: Dearborn Street & West Polk, Chicago Swamiji went to Sreator by the Santa Fe railroad & came back by it as well. He had embarked the train at the Dearborn station. Although there were a number of railroad stations in existence in Chicago during that time, it is almost certain that Swamiji used the station on more than one occasion. Since the Santa Fe railroad had used the Dearborn station exclusively, He definitely used it for
His trip to California as well. Completed in 1885, the Dearborn Station at the end of South Dearborn Street and West Polk Street is the oldest surviving railroad terminal building in Chicago. Since that time it has lost many parts including a huge cupola on the clock tower & a steeply pitched roof that was destroyed during a fire in 1922. Its shed was removed in the 1960s. The whole station has been restored with only minor changes beyond those mentioned. Its passenger operations ceased in 1971 when it was renovated as office and retail space, and its vast backyard replaced with residential developments.
World's Columbian Exposition: Chicago (1893) "The Life of Swami Vivekananda" by His eastern and western disciples briefly describes Swami Vivekananda’s observations & reactions at the fair: ‘He was struck with amazement at the wonders He saw. Here all the latest products of inventive & artistic minds of the entire world had been brought to a focus, for examination & admiration. He visited the various exposition palaces, marveling at the array of machinery, at the arts & products of many lands, and, at the energy and practical acumen of the human mind as manifested by the exhibits.’ Chicago had put its best foot forward to welcome Swami Vivekananda in its own inimitable style.
Ferris wheel: Midway Plaisance, between Ellis & University Ave. Chicago (1893) Swamiji must have visited the Midway several times; either to talk to an Indian finger nail artist, or to take a spin on the Ferris Wheel or to visit the ‘East India Bazaar.’ The Midway Plaisance , an area surrounded by Stony Island Avenue on the east , Cottage Grove Avenue on the west , & 59th & 60th streets on the north and south respectively , offered fairgoers a chance to amuse themselves and an opportunity to see how the people in other parts of the world lived . It was essentially a ‘Bazaar of all nations’, and ‘the exposition’s’ commercially run entertainment strip’. The Ferris wheel was a superb engineering feat and could carry more than 2,000 people at one time. The world's first Ferris Wheel was erected at
the center of the Midway. Built on speculation by George W. Ferris, a bridge builder from Pittsburgh, the ride was the fair's most prominent engineering marvel. The wheel rose to 264 feet, surpassing the Eiffel Tower, and offering breathtaking views of the fair and the city.
Women's Building: Main Entrance Women's Building: West Entrance Women's Building: Jackson Park: Chicago (1893) In charge of this all woman project was a Board of Lady Managers chaired by Bertha Potter Palmer , a wealthy & influential patron of the arts. Placing women in charge of their building was considered a rather revolutionary idea at
the time and was not enthusiastically supported by some Fair authorities. Sophia Hayden, one of the few women architects in 19th - century America, designed the 80,000 square feet, 2 story building called the Women's Building. Mrs. Potter Palmer, the president of the Board of Lady Managers, gave a reception for the delegates on the evening of September 14, 1893 at the Women’s Building in Jackson Park. Mrs. Palmer delivered an outstanding address of welcome followed by a speech by Mr. Thomas Palmer, president of the World’s Columbian Exposition, who later hosted Swami Vivekananda in his house in Detroit in 1894. Mrs. Potter Palmer wanted some authoritative statements about the condition of women from other lands. Swami Vivekananda spoke on "The Condition of Women in India" at the Women's Building.
Art Palace: 57th Street & Lake Shore Drive: (Museum of Science & Industry.) The museum was built as the ‘Art Palace’ for the World‘s Columbian Exposition. The Art Palace was one of the buildings from the World’s Fair that was saved. It was universally praised as an exemplary work of art.Designed by the New York architect Charles B. Atwood, & located on the North Bank of the North Pond, this was the only building built to last a long time housing its priceless collection of art. It came to be known as the Atwood Palace. It was refurbished and became the Museum of Natural History. In 1934, the Palace of Fine Arts became the nucleus of what is now known as the Museum of Science & Industry. Swami Vivekananda walked in this area, during the Parliament of World Religions in 1893.
Cobb Hall: 5811 S. Ellis Avenue, University of Chicago The University Chapel was located in Cobb Hall, which exists on the west side of the quadrangle on Ellis Avenue even today, as a part of the original campus of 1892. Cobb Hall was the first building of the University of Chicago, erected with donation by Silas B. Cobb. The University Chapel was on the 1st floor of the building taking up almost the entire north end. The room no longer exists the way it did at the time. It has been converted to four large lecture rooms, two on each side of a hall. Swamiji spoke at the University Chapel on March 1, 1894. The subject of His talk was “Modern Schools of Hinduism".
Lincoln Park, 1601 N. Clark St. While living with the Hale family, Swamiji went for strolls to Lincoln Park very often. It was here that He did babysitting for a 6 year old child. This child was "Agnes Ewing". She later became a student of Swami Akhilananda at the Boston center. In addition to being a park at the lakefront, Lincoln Park had many other attractions at that time. This 250 acre park was bounded by Lake Michigan on the east; Clark Street on the west; North Avenue on the south, and Diversey Street on the north. The park included a Conservatory, a Zoo which had a Bengal tiger, the Chicago Academy of Sciences and the Lincoln Statue.
Lake Michigan Swami Vishwananda was the head of the Vivekananda Vedanta Society of Chicago from 1938 through 1965. In 1939, he received a letter from Sara Chandra Chakravorty, a disciple of Swamiji. The letter revealed this incident associated with Swamiji in Lincoln Park." Swamiji once told me that one moonlit night when He was on the shore of Lake Michigan, his mind began to merge in Brahman. Suddenly He saw Sri Ramakrishna & remembered the work for which He had come to this world. Then His mind came down & again turned toward the fulfillment of His mission".
Marshall Field Store (Now Macy's) on Michigan Ave. The Store surrounded by State, Washington, Wabash and Randolph has Swamiji’s footprints all over it. If He was looking for a phonograph to send to the Maharaja of Khetri in India, or any other special item, He must have shopped at this store. The extension at the corner of Wabash Avenue & Washington Street built in 1892 to accommodate the World’s Fair crowd is the only part of the store still existing from that era. The Store was renamed Macy’s after it was bought over by them in 2005.
Hotel Richelieu, 318 S.Michigan Avenue, Chicago On October 27 1893 Swamiji lectured at the Ladies Fortnightly Club on the subject of Buddhism. Shy of publicity the club did not encourage newspapermen to attend such lectures; neither did it record its detailed proceedings. The content of Swamiji’s lecture therefore remains unknown. This was a very prestigious & exclusive club, drawing its membership from the upper crust of Chicago. The club’s goal was to enhance intellectual & social culture Club address was 10 Van Buren Street, but their meetings including the one on October 27, were held in Hotel Richelieu at 186 S. Michigan. The Hotel was built in 1885, but its front
facade was extensively renovated & some additions were made in 1911. After a subsequent alteration in 1982 it now stands at 318 S. Michigan Ave.
Hinsdale Unitarian Church: 11 West Maple Street, Hinsdale The Hinsdale Unitarian Church was favored by addresses on two Sundays by Swami Vivekananda in 1893. A group of prominent citizens from Hinsdale got together in 1887 & formed the Unity Church Society, and decided to build a church. The church was built in 1888 and dedicated in 1889. Rev. Gould invited Swamiji to speak from the pulpit. A small paragraph in the Unity, a Unitarian weekly magazine published from Chicago, said on November 2 -" The pulpit at Hinsdale was filled October 15 and 22 by the Rev. Messrs. Vivekananda and Nagarkar, who preached
with much acceptance to overflowing houses. A course of lectures by Messrs Vivekananda and Hirai are also being attended to the full capacity of the Church." The Church’s name changed to Uniatrian from Unity in the 1930s.
Harbert Residence: 1412 Judson, Evanston Swamiji spoke on the subject "Reincarnation" at the Harbert Residence in Evanston. He pointed out the popular error which exists concerning the passing of humanity into animal forms. On the contrary, it is simply a part of their religion to be kind to animals. Reincarnation is either progression, which is advancement to a higher type of manhood, or retrogression, which is the relapse of humanity to a lower plane of living."
Bradley Residence: 1745 North Hinman Avenue Swamiji visited the Bradley Residence in October of 1893. In His letter to Prof. John H. Wright Swamiji refers to Prof. Bradley. He writes - "Your friend Prof. Bradley was very kind to me & he always cheered me (during the parliament speeches)... I am going to Evanston tomorrow & hope to see Prof. Bradley there." Prof. Bradley lived with his wife Susan Bradley. The Bradley house was a short walk from the Congregational church Swamiji was invited to. The large house is on the southeast corner of Hinman and Clark. It is now an Evanston Landmark. Its unique Tudor style architecture sets it clearly apart from the other houses around it.
Elisha Gray's Residence: 461 Hazel Ave, Highland Park Immediately following the Parliament, Swamiji was invited to the house of Mr. Elisha Gray. The guests at the vegetarian dinner, given in Swamiji’s honor, were some very illustrious scientists and engineers. The British physicists Sir William Thomson (Lord Kelvin), Prof. Hermann Von Helmholtz, Prof. Edourd Hospitalier were all there along with other distinguished people.
Hull House: 800 S. Halsted The Hull House was set up by Jane Addams & Ellen Gates as an intellectual oasis where they conducted movements for political and social reforms. The Hull Mansion has been designated as Jane Addams Hull House Museum. Swamiji’s photograph adorns a wall of the room on the southeast corner of the building. The inscription says - “Swami Vivekananda (18931902); Indian Social Reformer; Participates in World’s Parliament of Religions.” Swamiji spoke at the Hull House sometime between October & December of 1893. The subject of His speech was ‘Economic & Social Conditions in India’.
Pictures of Swami Vivekananda during the Parliament of World Religions, Chicago: 1893
Parliament of World Religions-Chicago, On the Evening of the Last Day, 27 September 1893. (Swami Vivekananda, Second Row, Left of Center)
Swami Vivekananda on the Platform of the Parliament Left to Right: Narasimhacharya, Laxminarayan, Swami Vivekananda, H. Dharmapala & Virchand Gandhi Swami Vivekananda with Narasimhacharya
1. The Writing Says: "thou art the father the lord the master the husband and love" 2. The Writing Says: "equality in all things this is the sign of the free"
3. The Writings Says: "thou art the only treasure in this world"
The Writings Says: "When in search of knowledge or prosperity, think that you would never have death or disease, and when worshipping God, think that death’s hand is in your hair." The Writings Says: "Virtue is the only friend which follows us even beyond the grave. Everything else ends with death The Writing Says: "one infinite pure & holy - beyond thought beyond qualities I bow down to thee"
As a Delegate
People Associated With Swami Vivekananda in Chicago during the Parliament of World Religions Hale Family
Mrs. George Hale, Mr. George Hale, Hale Sisters On September 10, 1893 the day before the Parliament was to begin, Swamiji sat down, weary and exhausted, on the street-side when Mrs. Hale who lived in the house opposite noticed Him & welcomed Him into their home. The Hale family was to become dearer to Swamiji than any other He would know in the West. ‘I scarcely find a family so highly pure and kind. Or why should God shower blessings on them in such abundance? Oh, how wonderfully kind they are!’ He wrote to His brother disciples in 1894. From about the middle of November, 1893 the Hales’home on Dearborn Ave served as
Swamiji’s headquarters; Along with Mrs. & Mr. Hale, their household included 2 daughters Mary & Harriet Hale & two nieces Isabelle & Harriet McKindley. Swamiji addressed Mrs. Hale as Mother Church & Mr. George Hale as Father Pope. The Hale & McKindley sisters were to Him sisters or babies. ‘You are all so kind, the whole family, to me,’ He wrote to Mary Hale from India in 1898, ‘I must have belonged to you in the past as we Hindus Say.’ Swamiji wrote more letters to Mary Hale than to anyone else in the West with the exception of Mrs. Bull. He wrote to Mary Hale in 1899, ‘It is curious, your family, Mother Church & her clergy, both monastic and secular, have made more an impression on me than any family I know of. Lord blesses you ever & ever.’ The Hale Sisters from L to R: Harriet McKindley, Mary Hale, Isabelle McKindley, Harriet Hale
Mr. & Mrs. Lyon
Mrs. Lyon
Mr. Lyon
The Lyons belonged to the First Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Lyon had volunteered to host any broad minded delegate since Mr. Lyon was interested in philosophy but heartily disliked bigots. Their home was at 262 Michigan Ave (now the Hilton Hotel) where they lived with their 2 sons John B. Jr. & William, a widowed daughter Mrs. Conger & 6 year old granddaughter Cornelia Conger. With Mrs. Lyon, who reminded Swamiji of his own mother, he visited the Women’s Hospital of which she was the president. In his letter of October 2, 1893 to Prof. Wright Swamiji wrote, "I am moving about just now. Only when I come to Chicago, I always go to see Mr. & Mrs. Lyon one of the noblest couples I have seen here"
Charles Bonney
Charles C. Bonney was a well-known judge in Chicago and the author of many important constitutional & economic reforms. He was the President of the World’s Congress Auxiliary of the Columbian Exposition and it was Bonney’s inspiration and idea to hold the Parliament of Religions as part of the Congress in order to, as he said in his welcome address, “unite all Religion against all irreligion; to make the golden rule the basis for this union; and to present to the world the substantial unity of many religions in the good deeds of religious life”. Charles Bonney gave a huge reception in the upper floor and halls of the Art Institute (at that time known as the World’s Congress Auxiliary Building) in the evening of September 12 for the delegates. Swamiji attended as reported by the Inter Ocean “…Vivekananda came next, and had a happy reception and was very much at home.”
Rev. John H Barrows
Rev. John Barrows was pastor of the 1st Presbyterian Church in Chicago & one of the city’s most well-known clergymen. As the chairman of the Parliament of Religions he was the principal organizer of the event Swamiji met him at his house (2957 Indiana Ave) on September 10, 1893.
Elisha Gray
Elisha Gray was a famous electrical engineer and inventor who held over seventy patents to his credit. He was chairman of the Internal Electrical Congress, which had been held in conjunction with the Columbian Exposition, and his teleautograph machine to transmit facsimile was one of the exhibits in the Electrical Building at the Exposition. Immediately following the Parliament, Swamiji was invited to the house of Mr. Elisha Gray. Swamiji gave a talk at his residence (461 Hazel Ave. Highland Park). The guests at the vegetarian dinner, given in Swamiji’s honor, were some very illustrious scientists and engineers. The British physicists Sir William Thomson (Lord Kelvin), Prof. Hermann Von Helmholtz, Prof. Edourd Hospitalier were all there along with other distinguished people.
Bertha Palmer
Mrs. (Bertha Honore) Potter Palmer headed the Board of Lady Managers of the Columbian Exposition. A very well-known socialite & outspoken feminist, she was the official hostess of the Exposition. On September 22, 1893, in Hall VII of the Art Institute, Swamiji spoke on "Women in Oriental Religion" at a special session organized by Mrs. Palmer who was also the president of the Women's Branch of the World’s Congress of the Exposition. Mrs. & Mr. Potter Palmer also gave a reception for the delegates on the evening of September 14 at the Women's Building in Jackson Park. At Mrs. Palmer’s request Swamiji spoke on "Condition of Women in India." When she was planning to visit the Orient, Swamiji wrote encouragingly of her and requested
Rao Bahadur Narasimhachariar to show her the work being done to help women
Jane Addams
Jane Addams reverently known in her circle as “Saint Jane” was a social reformer, peace activist, and with Ellen Gates Starr, the founder of Hull House - a social settlement whose main purpose was to provide social and educational opportunities for working class immigrants in the surrounding neighborhood. She shared the Nobel Peace Prize in 1931. She invited Swamiji to speak at the Hull House (800 S. Halsted) where He gave a talk on "Economic and Social Conditions in India". She also attended several of Swamiji’s lectures in New York and Swamiji visited her at the Hull House during his visit to Chicago in 1899 during which time Sister Nivedita came to know her quite well. "Miss Adams as
ever is an angel," Swamiji wrote of her in a letter to Betty Leggett.
Emma Calve
Emma Calve was a celebrated French operatic soprano and was probably the most famous French female opera singer of the time. She first met Swamiji in November, 1899 when she was visiting Chicago with the Metropolitan Opera Company. Feeling ‘greatly depressed in mind and body’ at the death of her daughter she went to see Swamiji. “She is a great woman. I wish I saw more of her. It is a grand sight to see a giant pine struggling against a cyclone." Swamiji wrote of her in a letter to Betty Leggett. Swamiji saw a lot more of Emma Calve in 1900 during his European visit. Madame Calve wrote in her autobiography - ’It has been my good fortune and my joy to know a man who truly ‘walked with God’, a noble being, a saint, a philosopher and a true friend. His influence on
my spiritual life was profound. He opened up new horizons before me, teaching me a broader understanding of truth. My soul will bear him eternal gratitude."
Florence Adams
Mrs. (Florence) Milward Adams, a highly intellectual & versatile woman, was a popular lecturer on the Art of Expression and one of Swamiji’s staunchest admirers in Chicago. He first met her in Sara Bull’s house in Cambridge, MA in December, 1894. She was the principal force behind arranging lecture classes for Swamiji in Chicago since then. She lived at the Auditorium Hotel (at the northwest corner of Michigan Ave and Congress) and Swamiji held daily classes there during his stay in Chicago between January 1 & 17, 1895. He also held morning classes in her studio in Central Music Hall (then 69 State St. - at the southeast
corner of State and Randolph) during his visit to Chicago in April, 1896. In a letter written from Chicago to Mrs. Bull he wrote "everything has been well arranged here thanks to the kindness of Miss Adams. She is so good and kind" & in a letter to Isabelle McKindley he wrote "give Mrs. Adams mountain high love & regard from me." Mrs. Adams also visited Swamiji during his stay at Ridgely Manor in 1899.
Robert Ingersoll
Sometime during the post-Parliament period Swamiji first met the celebrated agnostic orator Mr. Robert Green Ingersoll & discussed religious & philosophical matters with him. The evidence of Swamiji's admiration for this honest, forthright man can be found in his lecture in London in 1896 where he said, referring to a conversation he had with Mr. Ingersoll - "In America, there was a great agnostic, a very noble man, a very good man, and a
very fine speaker. In reply to Ingersoll's philosophy of not bothering about other worlds and squeezing the orange of this life to the fullest, Swamiji remarked - "I agree with you entirely. I have some fruit, & I too want to squeeze out the juice. Our difference lies in the choice of the fruit. I want to understand the heart of things, the very kernel itself, your study is the manifestation of life, and mine is the life itself. I must know the heart of this life, it’s very essence."
Harriet Monroe
Harriet Monroe was a poetess, the founder of “Poetry: A Magazine of Verse" & was the patron saint of the new American poetry of realism and imagery. She was the sister-in law of John Wellborn Root, the architect who shared the responsibility for the construction of the World's Fair with Daniel Burnham until his untimely death in 1891. She wrote the dedicatory poem "Columbian Ode" for the World's Columbian Exposition. She heard
Swamiji at the Parliament of Religions and recollected her impressions in her autobiography, A Poet’s Life":"It was Swami Vivekananda, the magnificent, who stole the show and captured the town. His personality, dominant, magnetic; his voice, rich as a bronze bell; the controlled fervor of his feeling; the beauty of his message to the Western world, it was human eloquence at its highest pitch."
John D. Rockefeller
In Chicago Swamiji told John D. Rockerfeller much of his past that was not known to any but Himself, & made him understand that the money he had already accumulated was not his, that he was only a channel & that his duty was to do good to the world - that God had given him all his wealth in order that he might have an opportunity to help and do good to people. Rockerfeller In Chicago Swamiji told John D. Rockerfeller much of his past that was not
known to any but Himself, & made him understand that the money he had already accumulated was not his, that he was only a channel & that his duty was to do good to the world that God had given him all his wealth in order that he might have an opportunity to help and do good to people. Rockerfeller was annoyed that anyone dared to speak to him that way. He left the room in irritation. But about a week later he entered Swamiji’s study and finding Him threw on His desk a paper which told of his plans to donate an enormous sum of money towards a public institution. He wanted Swamiji to thank him. Swamiji didn’t even lift His eyes. Then taking the paper, Swamiji quietly read it, saying, "It is for you to thank me." That was all. This was Rockerfeller’s first large donation to public welfare.