Famous Freemasons
A Few Famous Masons
United States Presidents
Buchanan, James – 15th President – 1857-1861
Initiated in Lodge No. 43, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and in 1824 was appointed District Deputy Grand Master for the Counties of Lancaster, Lebanon and York.
Ford, Gerald R. (born Leslie Lynch King, Jr.) – Served as Vice President for Richard Nixon and became 38th President – 1974-1977
Initiated in Malta Lodge No. 465, Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Fellow craft and Master Mason Degrees were Conferred by Columbia Lodge No. 3, Washington, D.C., as a courtesy to Malta Lodge.
Garfield, James A. – 20th President – March through September 1981 - Assassinated in office Initiated in Magnolia Lodge, No. 20, Columbus, Ohio. Did not receive the Third Degree until November 22, 1864 in Columbus Lodge No. 30, Columbus, Ohio.
Harding, Warren G. – 29th President - 1921-1923– Died in office
Initiated: June 28, 1901, Marion Lodge No. 70, Marion, Ohio.
Jackson, Andrew – 7th President – 1829-1837
He was likely a member of St. Tammany Lodge No. 1, Nashville, Tennessee. He was Grand Master in Tennessee 1822-1824
Johnson, Andrew – 17th President – 1865-1869
Greenville Lodge No. 119, Greenville, Tennessee
Johnson, Lyndon B. – Served as Vice President for John F. Kennedy and became 36th President – 1963-1969
Received only the First Degree in Johnson City Lodge No. 561 in Johnson City Texas
McKinley, William – 25th President – 1897-1901
Initiated in Hiram Lodge No. 21, Winchester, Virginia. He affiliated with Canton Lodge No. 60, Canton, Ohio; and demitted from same to become a Charter Member of Eagle Lodge No. 431, also in Canton. Following his death on September 14, 1901, the name was changed to William McKinley Lodge effective October 24, 1901.
Monroe, James – 5th President – 1817-1825
St. John's Regimental Lodge in the Continental Army. Later, Brother Monroe took Membership in Williamsburg Lodge No. 6, Williamsburg, Virginia.
Polk, James Knox – 11th President – 1845-1849
Columbia Lodge No. 31, Columbia, Tennessee
Roosevelt, Franklin D. – 32nd President – 1933-1945 – Died in office on April 12, 1945
Initiated in Holland Lodge No. 8, New York City.
Roosevelt, Theodore – 26th President – 1901-1909
Initiated in Matinecock Lodge No. 806, Oyster Bay, New York
Taft, William Howard – 27th President – 1909-1913
Brother Taft was made a "Mason at Sight" within the Body of Kilwinning Lodge No. 356, Cincinnati, Ohio, by Grand Master Charles S. Hoskinson.
Truman, Harry S. – 33rd President - 1945-1953
Initiated in Belton Lodge No. 450, Belton, Missouri. Grand Master of Masons in Missouri 1940-1941
Washington, George – 1st President – 1775-1799
Fredericksburgh (Fredericksburg) Lodge No. 4, Fredericksburg, Virginia
U.S. VICE PRESIDENTS
Clinton, George – 1809-1813
Elbridge, Gerry – 1813-1817
Tompkins, Daniel D. – 1817-1825
Johnson, Richard M. – 1837-1841
Dallas, George M. – 1845-1849
King, William R. – 1853-1857
Breckenridge, John C. – 1857-1861
Johnson, Andrew – 1861-1865
Colfax, Schulyer – 1869-1877
Stevenson, Adlai E. – 1893-1897
Hobart, Garret A. – 1897- 1901
Roosevelt, Theodore – 1897-1901
Fairbanks, Charles W. – 1901-1909
Marshall, Thomas R. – 1913-1921
Wallace, Henry A. – 1933-1937
Truman, Harry S. – 1938-1945 Grand Master, ritualist, very active Freemason
Johnson, Lyndon B. – 1961-1963
Humphrey, Hubert H. – 1963-1969
Ford, Gerald R. – 1969-1974
FOUNDING FATHERS AND AMERICAN REVOLUTION
Franklin, Benjamin – 1 of 13 Masonic signers of Constitution of the U.S.
Hancock, John – 1of 9 Masonic signers of Declaration of Independence
Revere, Paul – American Silversmith, engraver and revolutionary hero who on April 18, 1775 made his famous ride to warn “The British are coming” as celebrated in a poem by Longfellow. He was a Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts.
Jones, John Paul – Scottish born seaman, he became a naval hero and the father of the U.S. Navy.
LaFayette, Marquis de – French soldier and politician, he took part in the American Revolution as a close supporter and friend of George Washington.
Otis, James – American revolutionary, politician and publicist famous for “Taxation without Representation is Tyranny”.
King, Rufus – A signer of the United States Constitution on September 17, 1787 in Philadelphia, PA.
Baron von Steuben – He assisted Alexander Hamilton and Nathanael Green in drafting a training program for the soldiers at Valley Forge. The men became an Army because of him, as he began with a “model company”, a group of 100 chosen men and trained them. He recruited Cap. Benjamin Walker, his French speaking aid, to curse at them FOR HIM in English. His instructions and methods have a familiar ring. Much of what is done today stems from his teachings.
Warren, Joseph, M.D – Noted physician and American Revolutionary War general. Lead the troops in the Battle of Bunker Hill where he was killed. At the time of his death, he was serving as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Masons in Massachusetts.
Arnold, Benedict – (Born in Norwich, CT) He was a general in the American Revolutionary War. Despite his successes, he was passed over for promotion while other officers claimed credit for some of his accomplishments. He had also spent much of his money on the war effort. Adversaries in military and political circles brought charges of corruption or other malfeasance against him, but most often he was acquitted. Frustrated and bitter, he decided to change sides in 1779. He led British forces on raids in Virginia, and in New London and Groton, Connecticut before the war ended. Because of the way he changed sides, his name became a byword in the United States for treason or betrayal.
OTHER NOTABLE MASONS
Abbott, William “Bud” – Famous half of the Abbott & Costello comedy team.
Aldrin, Edwin E. – Known as “Buzz” – An American Astronaut crew member of Apollo 11. He became the second human being to walk on the moon (July 20, 1969).
Anderson, Brad – Cartoonist and creator of the popular “Marmaduke” comic strip.
Arnold, General Henry “Hap” – American general whose efforts helped establish what is now the U.S. Air Force. He was a Commander of the Army Air Force in World War II. He is also the only person to ever hold a five star rank in two services and the only person to ever hold a five star rank in the U.S. Air Force.
Autry, Gene – American actor who made some 90 movies from the 1920s through the 1950s, cowboy singer (“Back in the Saddle Again” and more), and professional sports team owner (original owner of the California Angels baseball team).
Berlin, Irving – Entertainer and songwriter who wrote more than 1,500 songs including “Alexander’s Ragtime Band” (1911) and several musical comedies like “Annie Get your Gun” (1946).
Borgnine, Ernest – Film and television actor. In 1955 he received the Oscar as Best Actor for the film “Marty”. He is known to a generation of television fans for his role as the Skipper in “McHale’s Navy”. He has actively served Freemasonry and has been an Honorary Chairman of a program to support the Scottish Rite Childhood Language Center in Richmond.
Bowie, James – American-born Mexican colonist who joined the Texan forces during the struggle for independence from Mexico. He died during the defense of the Alamo.
Byrd, Admiral Richard E. – American naval officer and explorer. He was the first to fly over the North Pole (with Floyd Bennet in 1926).
Carson, Christopher “Kit” – Frontiersman, scout and explorer.
Churchill, Winston – British politician and writer. Prime Minister (1940-1945 and 1951-1955). His inspiration is often credited with helping Britain survive under the onslaught of Hitler’s evil.
Clemens, Samuel L. (aka Mark Twain) – Writer and humorist. His famous works include the characters of Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn.
Cody, “Buffalo Bill” William – American guide, scout and showman. He founded the “Wild West Show” which toured Europe and America. Cody, Wyoming is named after him.
Cohan, George M. – American composer and lyricist, famous for such songs as “Yankee Doodle Dandy”.
Colt, Samuel – Firearms inventor and manufacturer. He invented the first revolver.
Crockett, David “Davy” – Frontiersman and politician. U.S. Representative from Tennessee who joined the Texas revolutionaries fighting against Mexico. He died at the siege of the Alamo.
Doyle, Sir Arthur Conan – British physician and writer, creator of the famous “Sherlock Holmes”.
Ellington, Duke – American jazz composer, orchestrator, bandleader and pianist. He is considered the greatest composer in the history of jazz music and one of the greatest musicians of the 20th Century.
Fields, W. C. – American entertainer known for his raspy voice, bulbous nose, and sardonic disposition. His films include “My Little Chickadee” (1940) and “Never Give a Sucker an Even Break” (1941).
Ford, Henry – Invented the first gasoline powered automobile in 1893, founded Ford Motor Company in 1903 and mass-produced the first widely available and affordable car.
Gable, Clark – American actor who played opposite nearly every major female star during the 1930s. He is perhaps best remembered for his role as Rhett Butler in “Gone with the Wind”. He received the Academy Award as Best Actor in “It Happened One Night”, which was the Best Movie of 1934.
Godfrey, Arthur – American television personality and one of the medium’s dominant stars throughout the 1950s as host of variety show programs. This redhead’s songs and skits with his ukulele entertained millions.
Graham, Albert Belmont – Father of the 4-H Rural Youth Program.
Hall, Prince – The man whose name is honored by generations of black Freemasons who follow in his footsteps.
Hardy, Oliver – American comedian, famous for the slapstick abuse he inflicted upon his partner, Stan Laurel.
Houdini, Harry (Ehrich Weiss) – Premiere American magician known for his escapes from chains, handcuffs, strait jackets and padlocked containers. He was immensely proud of his Masonic affiliations and became a Shriner just before his untimely death.
Houston, Sam – American general who became the first President of the Republic of Texas even though his candidacy was announced only 12 days previously. He later served a second term. When Texas was admitted to the Union, he served as U.S. senator and governor.
Jackson, Reverend Jesse – Baptist Minister, American civil rights leader and politician. His concerns for the oppressed and his dramatic oratory have attracted a large grassroots constituency called the Rainbow Coalition.
Kipling, Rudyard – British writer who won the Nobel Prize for literature. Many of his works have strong Masonic themes and some are specifically about Freemasonry, despite the fact that he was only active in his lodge for a brief period of time. Eschewing most honors, Bro Kipling accepted recognition from Freemasonry by being named one of forty living Fellows of the Philalethes Society.
Land, Frank S. – In 1919, founded the Order of DeMolay, a fraternal organization for young men aged 12-21. Originally a group of fatherless boys, DeMolay quickly grew and was “adopted” by Freemasonry in the United States. Today, DeMolay is international in scope and millions of boys and men still refer to the founder of the Order as “Dad”.
Lindbergh, Charles – American aviator who made the first solo transatlantic flight.
Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus – Austrian composer considered among the greatest and most prolific composers in history. Of his more than 600 compositions, the finest works, including his last three symphonies in 1788 and the operas “Don Giovanni” (1787) and “The Magic Flute” (1791), were written in the last five years of his short life (1756-1791).
Murphy, Audie – Most decorated American Soldier of World War II. He also achieved fame as an actor in movies (Westerns). An autobiographical movie was made of his heroic combat exploits. He was active and interested in Freemasonry.
Naismith, James – Canadian-born American sports educator who invented the game of basketball.
Palmer, Arnold – Golf Professional who for years set the example to make golf a “gentlemen’s sport”.
Ringling Brothers – All 7 of these famous Circus brothers and their father were Masons.
Robinson, “Sugar Ray” – American prizefighter and six time world champion (once as a welterweight and five times as a middleweight).
Rogers, Roy (Leonard Franklin Slye) – “King of the Cowboys”. American singer and actor who played a singing cowboy in motion picture Westerns. Always wearing the white hat, Rogers played the hero who never killed his opponent but rather would shoot him in the hand to wound him. On his grave is proudly displayed the Cross of his faith and his 33rd Degree Masonic emblem.
Rogers, Will – Actor and beloved Humorist; noted for his wry, homespun commentary on society and politics.
Sanders, Colonel Harland – Fried chicken magnate, his Kentucky Fried Chicken outlets are found world-wide. He perfected his Original Recipe of 11 secret herbs and spices in 1939. When he died in 1980, his body laid in state in the Rotunda of the Kentucky State Capital.
Smith, Joseph – Founder of the Mormon Church.
Thomas, Danny – Entertainer and Founder of St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Mr. Thomas often told the story of how physicians at his hospital explained to him the need for a very unique therapy for a patient at St. Jude’s which was only available at a Shrine Hospital. Mr. Thomas told the doctors to proceed with the treatment, regardless of the cost. When he was advised that there would be no cost, Mr. Thomas was shocked and vowed to find out more about the organization. Shortly thereafter, he petitioned and became a Mason. Prior to his death, he was featured in videos and wrote articles praising the good works of Freemasonry.
Warner, Glen Scobey “Pop” – Famous football coach, credited with originating the single and double wingback formations.
Wayne, John – “The Duke” – One of the most popular actors of recent years. His ‘manly’ roles helped define a generation.
Young, Brigham – Led the pioneers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons) to Utah.
Zigfield, Florenz – His Zigfield’s Follies began in 1907.
Compiled from various sources and hereby acknowledged.