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Famous Scottish Freemasons
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There are lists of Freemasons readily available from other Masonic Web Sites. The intention of this page is to supply the names of those Scots who were Freemasons or men who were not Scots but who became Scottish Freemasons by joining a Scottish Lodge. Unlike other lists brief biographical details of each individual will be provided. It is to be hoped that this will show to the world that many good men have been Freemasons, regardless of political or religious affiliations, and that they are but a few examples of men who believed in the Masonic principles of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth.
It should remembered that for every famous man recorded below there were many thousands of men whose lives have not been documented in the same detail. Those thousands were, and still are, more important in that they quietly go about their Masonic lives without individual recognition. Such men, daily, practice and display true Masonic principals without any desire for recognition for so doing. Thus society as a whole benefits without anyone who is not a Freemason appreciating that fact.
The names and biographical details provided have been selected at random. It is not possible to provide, here, details of sources. The names have been verified from the records maintained at Freemasons' Hall, where possible with the Lodge concerned, and from other sources. Because it has been decided that biographical information is to be provided it is likely that the research required to amend the list will mean that it will take place on an irregular basis.
ANDERSON, James. c.1680 -1739.
Dissident Preacher.
Born Aberdeen, Scotland.
One of the most significant events in the history of Freemasonry was the publication, in 1723, of the 'Anderson's Constitutions' 
which are the first `modern' rules for the governance of `Speculative' Freemasonry.
The minutes of the Grand Lodge of England show that Brother James Anderson was ordered to 'digest the old Gothic Constitution in a new better method', on 29th September 1721. Only three months later Dr Anderson presented his finished production to that Grand Lodge, 27th December 1721. The Constitutions contained a mythical history of Freemasonry, from the Garden of Eden to 1717.
Although much is now discounted it still makes interesting reading as a historical document in its own right. After having been considered by a committee the volume was produced in its final form in 1723. A second edition was published in 1738. This second edition is considered the more valuable as it contains some historical detail of the Grand Lodge of England 1717-1738.
His father, also James, was a member of the Lodge at Aberdeen and was the author of the 'Lockit Buik' (a `lockable' Mark Book) of that Lodge, dated 1670. Anderson was part, therefore, of a Masonic family from his birth and it can safely be assumed that he absorbed much from his father. It is quite likely that he was initiated in the Lodge at Aberdeen but absolute proof is lacking.
ADAM, Robert.1728-1792.
Architect
Probably the most famous of Scotland's, if not Britain's, architects, Robert Adam was brought up in Edinburgh, where he learned the rudiments of his profession in his father's architectural firm.
After an Italian tour, during which he developed his drawing style and absorbed the vocabulary of Classicism, he established an architectural practice in London. Under his leadership, the practice became one of the most successful and influential in the Eighteenth Century.
Robert Adam - "The Creative Mind"
BELL, Andrew. 1726-1809.
Engraver and Publisher
Andrew Bell comes to our attention from the results of his partnership with Colin MacFarquar an Edinburgh printer, when in 1768 they produced the first edition of the Encyclopaedia Britannica. This modest edition was edited by William Smillie who was also a Freemason.
BURNS, Robert. 1759-1796.
Ploughman and Poet
It is not our purpose to add another to the scores of biographies of the Bard of Ayr, but merely to point to his Masonic career.
Born on 25th January 1759, in a little 'clay biggin', or mud-walled cottage, near the bridge over the Doon in Ayrshire, he was initiated on 4th July 1781, in St David's Lodge, Tarbolton. He was then only a few months over twenty-one years of age. Shortly after he was made a Mason he became a member, and later was Deputy Master of the revived St. James Lodge, situated at Tarbolton. He held this office for several years. The minutes of three of the Lodge meetings were written, and some thirty were signed, by him.
He became interested in the ritual and work of the Lodge soon after he joined it, and at its banquets received the title of `Symposiarch', for he was truly the Ruler of the Feasts.
It was Masonic association which gave him the friends who were after-wards of such service to him, and to it was due his introduction to men of intelligence and social position.
More to Come!
Robert Burns, Freemason
Robert Burns, a Tribute
Robert Burns, 1759-1796
Robert Burns, Tam o' Shanter Exhibition
DOLLAR, Robert.1844-1932. Shipping Magnate
Born, Falkirk. Arrived in the United States of America in 1856 and was naturalised in 1888. He settled in San Franscisco, Califorma and founded the Dollar Steamship Co., the Robert Dollar Co., Dollar Portland Lumber Co. and the Canadian Robert Dollar Co. He was one of the largest operators of ocean vessels in the world.
GORDON, Bazil.1768-1847
Born in Kirkcudbright. Said to have been America's first millionaire. His monument in the Masonic cemetery at Fredericksburg, Virigina, is pretentious and that of his daughter is even more exquisite.
HAY, Arthur D,1884-1952.
Justice of the Supreme Court of Oregon
Born at Edinburgh and studied at the Heriot Watt College of Edinburgh. Graduated from the University of Oregon in 1911 and admitted to the Bar that year. He practised law in Portland, Klamath (1912-15) and Lakewood (1915-33). He served as District Attorney and Circuit Judge and later, was appointed to the state Supreme Court in 1942 and served in that capacity until his death. He was Initiated, Passed and Raised in Lakeview Lodge, No. 71 in 1921 and was Master of that Lodge 1924-32. He was Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Oregon in 1941.
JONES, John Paul, 1747-1792
Founder of the American Navy
The most notable name on the Roll of St Bernard's Kilwinning Lodge, No 122 (erased in 1816), is that of "Captain John Paul" of the John of Kirkcudbright, who was admitted an Entered Apprentice on the 27th November 1770, and to ensure that future readers might have no doubt as to the identity of this intrant a note at the end of the minute says: "Paul Johnes entered". The famous rover was passed to the Fellow Craft Degree on 28th February 1771, but there is no record of his being raised as a Master Mason. His name is recorded in the books of the Grand Lodge of Scotland, and a Diploma by the Lodge was issued in his favour.
He was born July 6, 1747 at Arbigland, parish of Kirkbean, in the Stewarty of Kirkcudbright, Scotland. He was the fifth of seven children born to John Paul and Jean McDuff. He went to sea at age 12, and was made Captain of his first merchant ship when he was 21, after the Captain died at sea of a fever.
When he came to America to live, he probably arrived by way of Edenton, North Carolina, then moved up into the Fredricksburg-Alexandria area of Virginia. Some time during this period he added "Jones" to his name, which has caused much consternation and speculation among historians. But that, as they say, is another story.
It 
would be churlish plagiarism to try to better the efforts of the "John Paul Jones Birthplace Museum Trust" at Arbigland! Their WebSite, dedicated to the great man, is well worth a visit.
For a more distinctly Masonic view, the pages of Lodge St Cuthbert Kilwinning, No 41 in Kirkcudbright, (on the WebSite of The Provincial Grand Lodge of Galloway ) contain scans of the original Minutes of John Paul's initiation and 'raising' (sic) to the 2°, and some commentary from Brethren in the United States of America where he rests in the Chapel at the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland. He is encased in a marble sarcophagus designed by Sylvian Salieres and modelled somewhat like Napoleon's tomb in the Invalides. Every Cadet, Officer, and visitor feels humbled there.
KING GEORGE VI, 1895-1952
Past Grand Master Mason.
The late King's full name was Albert Frederick Arthur George of the house of Windsor (formerly Saxe-Coburg-Gotha). He studied in Trinity College at Cambridge and served in WWI. He was created Duke of York in 1920.
A son of George V, he reigned from the time his brother, Edward VIII, abdicated in 1936, until his death in 1952.
He was initiated in Naval Lodge No. 2612 in December 1919, the ceremony being conducted by Lord Ampthill. In 1922 he was appointed Senior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of England, and in 1924 was made Provincial Grand Master for Middlesex. He was invested and installed by his great uncle, H.R.H. the Duke of Connaught. He held the latter position until he ascended the throne in 1938.
As king, he accepted the rank of Past Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England, and was ceremonially installed at the Albert Hall in London before an audience of Masons from all parts of the world.
In 1935 he accepted and was installed Grand Master Mason of Scotland, and affiliated with the Lodge of Glamis, No. 99, Scotland, where his father-in-law, the Earl of Strathmore, was a Past Master.
He created the precedent of the English Sovereign's active participation in Masonic ceremonies, and personally conducted the installation of three Grand Masters (of the United Grand Lodge of England) - the Duke of Kent at Olympia in 1939, the Earl of Harewood in Freemason's Hall in 1943 and the Duke of Devonshire in Albert Hall in 1948. Only his last illness prevented his installing the Earl of Scarbrough in 1951.
Toward the end of his reign, he stated that he had always regarded Masonry as one of the strongest influences of his life. He was a Royal Arch Mason and was a First Principal. He was a Past Grand Master of the Mark Lodge and former Ruler of the Mark Province of Middlesex (1931-37). He held the rank of Past Grand Master, and of Knight Commander of the Temple, was a 33rd Degree, and Grand Inspector General in the Ancient and Accepted Rite of Rose Croix.
Said he of Masonry: "The world today does require spiritual and moral regeneration. I have no doubt, after many years as a member of our Order, that Freemasonry can play a most important part in this vital need"
LAUDER, Sir Harry,1870 -1950.
Entertainer
Born in Portobello, near Edinburgh, the son of a potter, with the surname MacLennan. As a boy he worked 12 hour shifts in a flax mill in Arbroath and as a teenager worked as a pitboy in Hamilton. Early success in Scotland and then England led to his first tour of the United States of America. 21 tours followed eventually earning $5000 a week and playing golf with presidents.
His affection for his wife, Nancy, gave rise to two of his most successful songs; "Roamin' in the Gloaming" and "I Love a Lassie". His son, John, was killed in action during World War I which inspired him to write the song, "Keep Right on to the End of the Road".
H. V. Morton, the writer, met him in Aberdeen during 1928 and described him as "small, sturdy and smooth of face. He wore hexagonal glasses and smoked a six-inch briar pipe. His Glengarry was worn at a jaunty angle and, as he walked, the almost ankle-length Inverness cape which he wore exposed a bit of a MacLeod kilt. The superior person will perhaps sniff if I suggest that no man since Sir Walter Scott has warmed the world's heart to Scotland more surely that Sir Harry Lauder. His genius is a thing apart."
His reputation has suffered from those who criticise him for creating the stereotype of a kilted ultra-thrifty Scot. The greatest tribute to him must be that his songs are sung every day somewhere in the world. The last word should be his;
'Aye, I'm tellin' ye... happiness is one of the few things in this world that doubles every time you share it with someone else'.
MacCORMICK, Joseph. D.D.1733-1799.
Divine and Moderator, Church of Scotland
Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1782. Chaplain in Ordinary to his Majesty, and Dean of the Chapel Royal.
RUSSELL, Archibald, D.1811-71.
Philanthropist
Born at Edinburgh. His father, James, was President of the Royal Society of Edinburgh for many years. He graduated from Edinburgh University in law, Philosophy and medicine and later studied at the University of Bonn, Germany. In 1836 he settled in New York.
SCOTT, Sir Walter.1771-1832.
Author and Poet
Sir Walter Scott as a writer is famous for both his poetry and his prose. Very few writers in world literature enjoy such a distinction. He possessed a poetic faculty always real, often great and sometimes quite consummate.
In his prose works Sir Walter has the high honour of creating the historical novel. He added to the list of imaginary personages more and greater figures than had been added by anyone else except possibly Shakespeare. He infused into the novel a tradition of moral and intellectual well-being, of manliness and truth, of honour, freedom and courtesy.
His funeral was like a king's . . . . 'When the coffin was taken from the hearse, one deep sob burst from a thousand lips.'
Sir Walter Scott - an Illustrated Biography
Sir Walter Scott - his Life and Times
Sir Walter Scott - his Works Reviewed
SKENE, John. d. c.1690.
Merchant and Quaker
One of the first (probably the second) Freemason to settle in America. He is recorded in the 'Lockit Buik' of the Lodge of Aberdeen, 1670. He emigrated in 1682 to Burlington, New Jersey. He was governor of West Jersey from 1685 to 1690.
WILLIAMS, Egbert. c.l876-1922.
Comedian
Born in the Bahama Islands and brought to the U. S. of A. as a child. He was a partner to George William Walker in vaudeville from 1895-1903 and musical comedy from 1903-09.
After 1909 he was a leading comedian with the Ziegfeld Follies. He was initiated in Lodge Waverley, No. 597, together with nine other theatrical colleagues (see below). On his death the New York newspapers, of 6th March 1922, carried a notice of the funeral of 'Bert' Williams which was to be held in the Masonic Temple, New York, under the auspices of St Cecile Lodge, No.568, at the request of the Grand Lodge of Scotland.
| Egbert Austin Williams,127 West 53rd St., New York. | Age 30,
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| George William Walker, 505 Sixth Avenue, New York. | Age 31,
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| Henry Troy, 250 Stewart Street, Montgomery, Alabama | Age 28,
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| John Edwards, 910 Sciato Street, Indianapolis, Indiana | Age 36,
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| George Catlin,100 West 23rd Street, New York | Age 37,
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| Peter Hampton, 329 West 35th Street, New York | Age 33,
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| Green Henri Tapley, 3428 Dearborn Street, Chicago | Age 33,
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| John Lubrie Hill, 505 Sixth Avenue, New York | Age 30,
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| James Escort Lightfoot, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada | Age 30,
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| Alexander Rogers,18 West 134th Street, New York | Age 28.
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All were Initiated on 2nd May, Passed 16th May and Raised 1st June 1904. All were proposed by Brother James Halliday (centre) and seconded by Brother William Gordon (extreme left).
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