Does anybody else know the origins of the Demon Crowley? I read the book "Good Omens" which had a demon by the same name, who also works to stop the apocalypses. I was wondering if they might be referencing it.

This is just a guess, but I am guessing that Eric Kripke (or the show's writers) are probably Neil Gaiman and/ or Terry Pratchett fans. I remember reading something from them a few years ago that said that they got the name from Aleister Crowley, the English Magus of the early twentieth century. I wish I could remember where I read it, but I can't. Hope that helps anyway.

I haven't seen the Sympathy for the Devil episode yet, but is this Crowley guy the one who taught Dean to torture (just in a different body)??? And, stupid question, how come so many ppl like him all of a sudden??? I thought he was the badguy:/

Crowley, the real crowley, not the one off the T.V shows.. He was a demon that Lucifer sent out to be a spy over the angels that were covered as humans. He did his job. He was sent out to kill any angels that were messing with human lives and to return with information. Crowley fell in love with one the the angels and God and Lucifer both send out pions and other angels to find them and kill them. Crowley is also the next guy in life for hell when lucifer keeps getting caged.

Aleister Crowley (born Edward Alexander Crowley (/ˈkroʊli/); 12 October 1875 – 1 December 1947) was an English occultist, ceremonial magician, poet, painter, novelist, and mountaineer. He was responsible for founding the religion and philosophy of Thelema, in which role he identified himself as the prophet entrusted with guiding humanity into the Aeon of Horus in the early 20th century.

Via : link

The demon Crowley, in my opinion, is actually based on the demon named Malphas. In demonology Malphas is the prince of hell but is Lucifer's right hand so technically could be the king. Malphas is also portrayed as a crow. Crowley has crow in the name so that gives more connection to the two.