Arthur Edward Waite (1857 - 1942) was an American-born British writer and scholarly mystic who created an extensive oeuvre on occult and esoteric matters. He is also famous as the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot deck creator. The historical value of Waite's works consist-ed in his first-ever attempt to prepare a systematic study of the history of western occultism. He studied divination, esotericism, Rosicrucianism, Freemasonry, ceremonial magic, Kabbalism, and alchemy. He also translated and reissued several mystical and alchemical works. Many of his stud-ies were dedicated to the question of the search for the Holy Grail.