Jiddu Krishnamurti was born on 12 May, 1895 in Madanapalle, India. In early adolescence he came to the attention of the influential theosophist C W Leadbeater, who educated him, believing him to be a future world leader. Krishnamurti later broke away from the Theosophical Society and travelled internationally as an independent speaker and writer on philosophical subjects. In later life, he addressed the United Nations on the subject of peace and awareness and was awarded the 1984 UN Peace Medal. He died in 1986 at his home in Ojai, California.