Emanuel Swedenborg was born on January 29, 1688, in Stockholm, Sweden. He was a man of many talents and interests, carving out successful careers in several different fields. Initially, he excelled in the sciences and became a respected inventor and scientist. His contributions spanned a broad range of subjects, including anatomy, geology, and engineering. He published numerous scientific works and was highly regarded within the scientific community. His father, Jesper Swedberg, was a prominent Lutheran bishop, which likely influenced Swedenborg's spiritual inclinations.

In the mid-1740s, Swedenborg underwent a spiritual awakening that dramatically altered the course of his life. He reported having visions of the spiritual world and to communicate directly with angels, devils, and other spiritual entities. This marked a shift from his earlier scientific pursuits to a focus on spiritual and theological matters. He devoted the rest of his life to studying the Bible and writing theological treatises. Among his most notable works are "Arcana Caelestia" (Heavenly Secrets) and "Heaven and Hell," both of which detail his spiritual visions and interpretations of the Bible. He said, "For it has pleased the Lord to manifest Himself to me. He has opened the interiors of my mind or spirit to be in the spiritual world with angels, and at the same time in the natural world with men, and this now for 25 years." (Swedenborg, Conjugal Love #1).

Swedenborg passed away on March 29, 1772, in London, England. Despite never establishing a church or religious movement during his lifetime, his spiritual writings had a significant influence posthumously. His teachings became the foundation of the New Church (or Swedenborgianism), a Christian denomination that believes in direct, individual access to God without the need for intercession by clergy. Swedenborg's influence also extended beyond the religious sphere. His works had a profound impact on a variety of figures in literature and philosophy, including William Blake, Rudolf Steiner, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Carl Jung.