Arthur Edward Waite was a writer, Christian mystic, occultist, scholar, and Freemason, who authored numerous authoritative works on occult and esoteric topics, as well as being the co-creator of the Rider-Waite Tarot.

Arthur Edward Waite was born on October 2, 1857, in the USA, but when his father, Captain Charles F. Waite, died, Arthur Edward's mother returned with her son to her homeland - England, where he soon gained recognition.

Waite was educated at a small private school in northern London, then at the age of thirteen he entered St. Charles College, but left his studies to become a clerk. When Waite was seventeen, he lost his sister Frederica, whose death prompted Arthur Edward to pursue spiritual studies.

At the age of twenty-one, he began regularly visiting the British Museum library and studied various directions in mysticism, esotericism, and magic.

In 1891, he joined the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn after meeting Edmund William Berridge. However, the Order experienced a split due to internal disputes, which led Waite to leave, and until 1914 he headed his own branch of the Order, which he named the "Rectified Rite of the Golden Dawn." It was focused on Christian esotericism, deep study of Kabbalah, and mysticism.

Thus, Waite began writing occult works on topics including divination, esotericism, Rosicrucianism, Freemasonry, ceremonial magic, Kabbalah, and alchemy. He translated and republished alchemical and mystical works, becoming a prolific author whose works began to receive approval in academic circles.

When Waite was nearly thirty, he married Ada Lakeman. They had one daughter, Sybilla Waite. However, shortly after the death of Lucasta in 1924, Waite married Mary Broadbent Schofield.

Arthur Edward Waite died on May 19, 1942, in the United Kingdom.