Michael Baigent
Michael Baigent (Michael Barry Meehan) was born on February 27th, 1948. Michael passed away June 17th, 2013 at 65 years old. Michael Baigent was born in Nelson, New Zealand. Baigent attended Canterbury University, Christchurch where he received a bachelor's degree in psychology and the University of Kent where he received a master's degree in mysticism and religious experience.
Michael Baigent was a New Zealand-born author and historian best known for challenging traditional perceptions of the life of Jesus and historical events. His works, such as
The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail and
The Messianic Legacy, became controversial yet highly influential, especially in popularizing theories about the secret history of Christianity.
Born into a devout Catholic family, Michael received Roman Catholic theological instruction from the age of five. After his father left when Michael was eight, he was raised by his maternal grandfather, Lewis Baigent, whose surname he eventually adopted.
Following his college graduation in 1972, Michael worked as a freelance photographer, traveling extensively. He served as a war photographer in Laos and worked in Spain as a fashion photographer before settling in England in 1976. There, he found work in the photographic department at the BBC while supplementing his income with night shifts at a soft drinks factory.
During his time at the BBC, Michael met Richard Leigh, a television producer working on a series about the Knights Templar. The two became lifelong collaborators, joining forces with Henry Lincoln to explore the mystery of Rennes-le-Château in France. Their research culminated in the publication of
The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail in 1983, which proposed provocative ideas about the life of Jesus and the origins of Christianity.
The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail gained renewed attention after Dan Brown's bestselling novel
The Da Vinci Code, which drew heavily from its themes. Baigent's book explored questions that continue to fascinate and provoke debate:
- Is it possible that Christ was married, a dad, and that his bloodline still exists?
- Is it possible for Christ not to have died on the cross?
- Could parchments located in the South of France a century prior reveal one of the best-kept secrets of Christendom?
- Could these parchments contain the absolute heart of the Holy Grail?
In 1986, Michael Baigent and Richard Leigh published
The Messianic Legacy, a sequel that delved deeper into the implications of their findings. The book explored:
- What’s the true source of today’s Christian “Fundamentalism”?
- Was there more than just one Christ?
- What extraordinary meaning lies behind Jesus’ title of “King of the Jews”?
- Who really made up Jesus’ following, and what were the true identities of Judas Iscariot and Simon Peter?
- Who now has the ancient treasure of the Temple of Jerusalem?
- What connects the KGB, the Knights Templar, the Vatican, Freemasonry, the CIA, and the Mafia?
- What’s the stunning goal of the European secret society which traces its lineage all the way back to the House of David and Christ?
Later works, such as
The Dead Sea Scrolls Deception (1991), tackled other controversial topics. In this book, Baigent claimed that Catholic scholars had suppressed evidence from the Dead Sea Scrolls, which might have linked early Christianity to groups like the Qumran community and the defenders of Masada.
Michael Baigent’s influence extended beyond his books. A dedicated Freemason, he served as a Grand Officer of the United Grand Lodge of England and edited
Freemasonry Today for a decade until 2011. He advocated for a liberalized and modern view of Freemasonry.
Although his work often blurred the line between historical research and speculative theory, Michael Baigent remains a key figure in the discussion of Christianity’s hidden history and its modern implications. His ability to weave fact and conjecture continues to inspire both intrigue and debate among readers worldwide.
Related Authors
The most common authors followed by users who also follow Michael Baigent are:
- Dan Brown, author of the Robert Langdon Series.
- Stephen King, author of The Dark Tower Series.
- Dean Koontz, author of the Odd Thomas Series.
- Douglas Adams, author of the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy Series.
- Ray Bradbury, author of the novel: Fahrenheit 451.
Michael Baigent: F.A.Q
When was Michael Baigent Born?
Michael Baigent was born on February 27th, 1948.
When did Michael Baigent die?
Michael Baigent died on June 17th, 2013 at 65 years old.
Where was Michael Baigent Born?
Michael Baigent was born in Nelson, New Zealand.
What was the first book Michael Baigent wrote?
The first book written by Michael Baigent was Holy Blood, Holy Grail, published in 1983.
What was the most recent book Michael Baigent wrote?
His most recently released work was Astrology in Ancient Mesopotamia on January 1st, 2015.
How many books has Michael Baigent written?
Michael Baigent has written 13 books. 5 books in the Non-Fiction Books, 7 books in the Michael Baigent Religion & Spirituality, 1 book in the An Aquarian Astrology Handbook Series.