THERON Q. DUMONT este pseudonimul lui William Walker Atkinson (1862-1932), scriitor, editor, avocat si teosof american. De-a lungul vietii, a mai scris si sub pseudonimele Yogi Ramacharaka, Swami Bhakta Vishita, Magus Incognito, Theodore Sheldon, iar opera lui cuprinde aproximativ 100 de volume, dintre care multe se publica si in prezent. De asemenea, se crede ca este unul dintre (daca nu chiar toti) Cei Trei Initiati, autorii anonimi ai lucrarii Kybalionul.

Atkinson a urmat studii de drept si a devenit avocat de succes in Pennsylvania, insa stresul l-a dus la surmenaj si la faliment. A cautat vindecarea si astfel a descoperit hinduismul, yoga, ezoterismul oriental si miscarea New Thought, ale caror principii l-au ajutat sa-si recapete sanatatea fizica si psihica si prosperitatea.

Dupa mutarea in Chicago, a inceput sa scrie articole si carti despre Noua Gandire, dezvoltare spirituala, formarea vointei, magnetism personal, sanatate si o varietate de subiecte ezoterice: The Art and Science of Personal Magnetism; The Power of Concentration; The Advanced Course in Personal Magnetism; Mastermind, The Arcane Teachings; The Secret Doctrines of the Rosicrucians; How to Read Human Nature: Its Inner States and Outer Forms; Reincarnation and the Law of Karma; Suggestion and Auto-Suggestion; Telepathy: Its Theory, Facts, and Proof; Hatha Yoga or the Yogi Philosophy of Physical Well-Being; Raja Yoga or Mental Development; Gnani Yoga; How to Develop Mediumship; How to Attain Knowledge of the Higher Worlds; Clairvoyance and Occult Powers etc.