Anne Lynch

Anne Lynch.

Anne Lynch (December 1892 - September 17, 1966) was a Russian Bahá’í who served at the International Bahá’í Bureau in Switzerland from 1928 to 1957, assisted in producing some Bahá’í publications, and pioneered for the Faith.

Biography

Lynch was born in Russia but emigrated to England at the end of World War I. She discovered the Bahá’í Faith and declared in Italy in 1926 and then went on pilgrimage spending several months in the presence of Shoghi Effendi in the Holy Land after which she moved to Geneva, Switzerland, to serve the International Bahá’í Bureau arriving in 1928.

She became the head of the Bureau in 1929, being the only Bahá’í in Geneva from the early 1930's to 1937, and remained in Geneva during the Second World War where she was able to facilitate communication among the European Bahá’ís. She assisted in producing literature in several languages while in Geneva as she was fluent in Russian, French, English, German, Italian and Esperanto. In 1933 she translated the Hidden Words into Russian, and in the 1930's and 40's she had Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era printed in German and Polish. At some point she mimeographed a French translation of Paris Talks and a German translation of The Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh. She produced the German language Baha'i periodical Swiss Bulletin which published quotations of Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi, while in Switzerland and in 1945 began publishing and distributing the English language Bahá’í newsletter News Exchange and also an Esperanto bulletin.

In 1957 the International Bahá’í Bureau was disbanded due to achieving the goals set for it by Shoghi Effendi and Lynch then pioneered to Neuchatel, Vevey, and several other towns around Lake Geneva up until her passing in 1966. After her passing the Universal House of Justice cabled the following to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States:

"Grieved news passing faithful maidservant Bahá’u’lláh Anne Lynch. Her tireless efforts response guidance beloved Guardian encourage small band believers Switzerland during isolation Second World War and service nearly thirty years International Bahá’í Bureau Geneva testify her steadfast devotion Cause. Advise hold befitting memorial service Temple."