During the course of my reading, I have come across many notable Masons; some have changed the world, while others have escaped the bonds of it's gravity while reaching for the heavens.  They have entertained us and they have inspired us.  Despite their varied accomplishments, all of these men had one thing in common - their membership in the oldest fraternal organization in the world.  In the following series of articles, I will detail the lives of some of the most intriguing and thought provoking Masons that have ever worn an apron.  It must be added that this is by no means an exhaustive list - one interested in finding out which other famous people were practitioners of the Craft need only visit this article at masonicinfo.com.

William "Bud" Abbott

"William Alexander “Bud” Abbott (October 2, 1895 – April 24, 1974) was an American actor, producer and comedian born in Asbury Park, New Jersey. He is best remembered as the straight man of the comedy team of Abbott and Costello, with Lou Costello." -Wikipedia

Brother Abbott was also a member of Daylight Lodge #525, MI
 
 

Emilio Aguinaldo

"Emilio Aguinaldo y Famy (March 22, 1869 – February 6, 1964) was a Filipino general, politician, and independence leader. He played an instrumental role in Philippine independence during the Philippine Revolution against Spain and the Philippine-American War that resisted American occupation.  In the Philippines, Aguinaldo is considered to be the country's first and the youngest Philippine President, though his government failed to obtain any foreign recognition." -Wikipedia

Brother Aguinaldo was also a member, founder and Past Master of Ibarra Lodge #31 in the Philippines which was later renamed the Aguinaldo Memorial Lodge #31 in his honor.

Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin

"Colonel Buzz Aldrin, Sc.D (born January 20, 1930 as Edwin Eugene Aldrin, Jr.) is an American pilot and astronaut who was the Lunar Module Pilot on Apollo 11, the first lunar landing. He became the second person to set foot on the Moon (after Mission Commander Neil Armstrong)."

"Aldrin was born in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, where he became a Tenderfoot in the Boy Scouts of America.  He attended Montclair High School in Montclair, New Jersey, and graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He was not nicknamed Buzz because of having a buzz cut. Actually, as a boy, he was given the nickname "Buzz" by his sister—she mispronounced "brother" as "buzzer", and this was shortened to Buzz—and he made it his legal first name in 1988." -Wikipedia

Brother Aldrin is also a Master Mason in Montclair Lodge #144, NJ, 32nd Degree A.A.S.R., R.A.M. & K.T. in Authven Commandery, TX, a Recipient of the Knight Templar Cross of Honor in 1969 and is a Member of the Shrine of North America.

Henry Harley "Hap" Arnold

"Henry Harley "Hap" Arnold (June 25, 1886 – January 15, 1950) was an aviation pioneer and Chief of the United States Army Air Corps (from 1938), Commanding General of the U.S. Army Air Forces (from 1941 until 1945) and the first and only General of the Air Force (in 1949). He is also the only American to achieve five-star rank in two of its armed services."

"Instructed to fly by the Wright Brothers, Arnold was one of the first military pilots worldwide, and the second rated pilot in the history of the United States Air Force. He overcame a fear of flying that resulted from his experiences with early flight, oversaw the expansion of the Air Service during World War I, and became a protegé of Gen. Billy Mitchell, all of which at times nearly ended his aeronautical career." -Wikipedia

Brother Arnold was raised in Union Lodge No. 7, Junction City, Kansas on November 3, 1927, received the 32° A.A.S.R. on April 11, 1929 at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas and the 33° on October 19, 1945.

John James Audubon

"John James Audubon (April 26, 1785 – January 27, 1851) was a French-American ornithologist, naturalist, hunter, and painter. He painted, catalogued, and described the birds of North America.

 He was lionized as "The American Woodsman" and raised enough money to publish his Birds of America. This consisted of hand-colored, life-size prints made from engraved plates measuring around 39 by 26 inches. This original edition was engraved in aquatint by Robert Havell junior; known as the Double Elephant folio, it is often regarded as the greatest picture book ever produced." -Wikipedia

No hard proof has been found of his membership, but he referred to himself as a "Mason" and "Brother" in writings.  Today, Audubon Park Lodge #272 bears his name.

Gene Autry

"Orvon Gene Autry (September 29, 1907 – October 2, 1998) was an American performer who gained fame as The Singing Cowboy on the radio, in movies and on television." -Wikipedia

Autry created the Cowboy Code or Cowboy Commandments in response to his young fans clamoring to be just like him.  One cannot help but see the Masonic overtones in his creed

The Cowboy must never shoot first, hit a smaller man, or take unfair advantage.  He must never go back on his word, or a trust confided in him.  He must always tell the truth.  He must be gentle with children, the elderly, and animals.  He must not advocate or possess racially or religiously intolerant ideas.  He must help people in distress.  He must be a good worker.  He must keep himself clean in thought, speech, action, and personal habits.  He must respect women, parents, and his nation's laws.  The Cowboy is a patriot.

Brother Autry was also a member of Catoosa Lodge No. 185, OK.

Daniel Carter Beard

"Daniel Carter "Uncle Dan" Beard (June 21, 1850– June 11, 1941) was an American illustrator, author, and social reformer who was one of the founders of the Boy Scouts of America."

"Beard became one of the first National Scout Commissioners of the Boy Scouts and served it for 30 years. The work of both Beard and Ernest Thompson Seton are in large part the basis of the Traditional Scouting movement." -Wikipedia

Brother Beard was also a member of Mariners Lodge No. 67, NY.

Melvin Blanc

"Melvin Jerome Blanc (May 30, 1908 – July 10, 1989) was a prolific American voice actor, performing on radio, in television commercials, and most famously, in hundreds of cartoon shorts for Warner Bros. and Hanna-Barbera during the Golden Age of American animation. He is often regarded as one of the most gifted and influential persons in his field, providing the definitive voices for iconic characters such as Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, and Barney Rubble among hundreds of others. His talents earned him the nickname, "The Man of a Thousand Voices"." -Wikipedia

Brother Blanc was also a member of Mid Day Lodge No.188, OR.

Daniel Boone

"Daniel Boone (October 22, 1734 – September 26, 1820) was an American pioneer and hunter whose frontier exploits made him one of the first folk heroes of the United States. Boone is most famous for his exploration and settlement of what is now the U.S. state of Kentucky, which was then beyond the western borders of the Thirteen Colonies. Despite resistance from American Indians, for whom Kentucky was a traditional hunting ground, in 1775 Boone blazed the Wilderness Road through the Cumberland Gap and into Kentucky. There he founded Boonesborough, one of the first English-speaking settlements beyond the Appalachian Mountains. Before the end of the 18th century, more than 200,000 people entered Kentucky by following the route marked by Boone." -Wikipedia

Though there are no official records proving Boone's membership in any Lodge, statements from family members indicate that he was indeed a member of the Craft.

James "Jim" Bowie

"James Bowie (probably April 10, 1796 - March 6, 1836), aka Jim Bowie, was a nineteenth century pioneer and soldier who took a prominent part in the Texas Revolution and was killed at the Battle of the Alamo. He was born in Kentucky and spent most of his life in Louisiana before moving to Texas and joining the revolution.

Bowie is also known for the style of knife he carried, which came to be known as the "Bowie knife". Stories of his frontier spirit have made him one of the most colorful folk heroes of Texas history." -Wikipedia

Although any official records of his membership were destroyed by fire in 1850, he has been recognized as belonging to Loge L'Humble Chaumiere (Humble Cottage Lodge) #19, LA

Walter Chrysler

"Walter Percy Chrysler (April 2, 1875 – August 18, 1940) was a German American automobile pioneer."

"Chrysler left the Willys-Overland Motor Company in 1921 following which he acquired a controlling interest in the ailing Maxwell Motor Company. Chrysler phased out Maxwell and absorbed it into his new firm, the Chrysler Corporation, in 1925. In addition to his namesake car company, Plymouth and DeSoto marques were created, and in 1928 Chrysler purchased Dodge. He financed the construction of the Chrysler Building and built it in New York City. In 1928, Chrysler was named Time Magazine's Man of the Year." - Wikipedia

Brother Chrysler was raised on September 7, 1900 in Apollo Lodge No. 297, KS.  He demitted on December 6, 1918 and then affiliated as a Charter Member with Fellowship Lodge No. 490, MI.  In addition, Chrysler also received the 32nd Degree and was a Shriner.

Winston Churchill

"Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, KG, OM, CH, TD, FRS, PC (Can) (30 November 1874 – 24 January 1965) was a British politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1940 to 1945 and again from 1951 to 1955. A noted statesman, orator and strategist, Churchill was also a soldier in the British Army. He has been studied to a unique extent as part of modern British and world history. A prolific author, he won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1953 for his own historical writings." -Wikipedia

Brother Churchill was indeed a Freemason in his early years but resigned in 1912.  6 years later, he unsuccessfully petitioned for the creation of the Ministry of Munitions Lodge.  In his only other known contact with Freemasonry, he visited Royal Naval Lodge #59 in 1928.

William Clark

"William Clark (August 1, 1770 – September 1, 1838) was an American explorer who accompanied Meriwether Lewis on the Lewis and Clark Expedition."

"In 1803, he was asked by Lewis to share command of the newly-formed Corps of Discovery. Clark spent three years on the expedition, and although technically subordinate to Lewis in rank, he exercised equal authority at Lewis's insistence. He concentrated chiefly on the drawing of maps, the management of the expedition's supplies, and the identification of native plants and animals."

"The western American plant genus Clarkia (in the Evening primrose family Onagraceae), is named after him, as are the Western cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki), Clark's Grebe (Aechmophorus clarkii), and Clark's Nutcracker (Nucifraga columbiana), a large passerine bird, in the family Corvidae. Several states have named a county in his honor: Arkansas, Idaho, Missouri, Montana, and Washington. He also has a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame. Clarks River in western Kentucky is named for him." -Wikipedia

Brother Clark was also a member of Saint Lewis Lodge No. 111, PA.  His partner, Meriwether Lewis was also a Mason.

Samuel Clemens - a.k.a. Mark Twain 

"Samuel Langhorne Clemens (November 30, 1835 — April 21, 1910), better known by the pen name Mark Twain, was an American humorist, satirist, writer, and lecturer. Twain is most noted for his novels Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, which has since been called the Great American Novel, and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. He is also known for his quotations.  During his lifetime, Clemens became a friend to presidents, artists, leading industrialists, and European royalty."

"Clemens enjoyed immense public popularity, and his keen wit and incisive satire earned him praise from both critics and peers. American author William Faulkner called Twain "the father of American literature"." -Wikipedia

Brother Clemens was also a member of Polar Star Lodge No. 79, MO.

Tyrus Raymond "Ty" Cobb

"Tyrus Raymond "Ty" Cobb (December 18, 1886 – July 17, 1961), nicknamed "The Georgia Peach," was a Hall of Fame baseball player. Most baseball historians and journalists consider Cobb to be one of the greatest players ever, and Cobb received the most votes of any player on the 1936 inaugural Hall of Fame Ballot."

"Cobb is widely credited with setting 90 baseball records during his career. He still holds several records as of 2007, including the highest MLB career batting average with .367 or .366 (depending on source) and most career batting titles with 12 (or 11, depending on source). He retained many other records for almost a half century or more, including most career major league hits until 1985 (4,191 or 4,189, depending on source), most career runs (2,245 or 2,246 depending on source) until 2001, most career games played (3,035) and at bats (11,429 or 11,434 depending on source) until 1974, and the modern record for most career stolen bases (892) until 1977" -Wikipedia

Brother Cobb was also a member of Royston Lodge #426, MI.

William Frederick "Buffalo Bill" Cody

"William Frederick "Buffalo Bill" Cody (February 26, 1846 – January 10, 1917) was an American soldier, bison hunter and showman. He was born in the American state of Iowa, near Le Claire. He was one of the most colorful figures of the Old West, and mostly famous for the shows he organized with cowboy themes. Buffalo Bill is a recipient of the Medal of Honor."

"William Frederick ("Buffalo Bill") Cody got his nickname for supplying Kansas Pacific Railroad workers with bison meat. The nickname originally referred to Bill Comstock. Cody won the nickname from him in 1868 in a bison killing contest.  In addition to his documented service as a soldier during the Civil War and as Chief of Scouts for the Third Cavalry during the Plains Wars, Cody claimed to have worked many jobs, including as a trapper, bullwhacker, "Fifty-Niner" in Colorado, a Pony Express rider in 1860, wagonmaster, stagecoach driver, and even a hotel manager, but it's unclear which claims were factual and which were fabricated for purposes of publicity. He became world famous for his Wild West show. "

Brother Cody was also a member of Platte Valley Lodge #15, NE.

Nathaniel Adams Coles

"Nathaniel Adams Coles, known professionally as Nat King Cole (March 17, 1919 – February 15, 1965) was a popular American singer, songwriter, and jazz pianist."

"Beginning in the late-1940s, Cole began recording and performing more pop-oriented material for mainstream audiences, often accompanied by a string orchestra. His stature as a popular icon was cemented during this period by hits such as The Christmas Song (1961), Nature Boy (1948), Mona Lisa (1950), Too Young (the #1 song in 1951), and his signature tune "Unforgettable" (1951)."

"Cole was the first African American to have his own radio program and television show. In both cases, the programs were ultimately cancelled because potential sponsors shied away from showcasing a black artist. Cole fought racism all his life and refused to perform in segregated venues. In 1956, he was assaulted on stage while singing the song Little Girl in Birmingham, Alabama by members of the White Citizens' Council who apparently were attempting to kidnap him. Cole completed the performance despite injuries, but never again performed in the South." -Wikipedia

Brother Cole was also a member of the Thomas Waller Lodge #49, CA PHA.

Samuel Colt

"Samuel Colt (born Hartford, Connecticut July 19, 1814 - died Hartford, Connecticut January 10, 1862) was an American inventor and industrialist. He was the founder of the Colt's Patent Fire-Arms Manufacturing Company (now known as Colt's Manufacturing Company), and is widely credited with popularizing the revolver gun. Colt's innovative contributions to industry have been described by arms historian James E. Serven as 'events which shaped the destiny of American Firearms.'" -Wikipedia

Brother Colt was also a member of St. John’s Lodge, CN.

David "Davy" Crockett

"Colonel David Crockett (August 17, 1786 – March 6, 1836) was a celebrated 19th-century American folk hero, frontiersman, soldier and politician; usually referred to as Davy Crockett and by the popular title "King of the Wild Frontier". He represented Tennessee in the U.S. House of Representatives, served in the Texas Revolution, and died at the age of 49 at the Battle of the Alamo."

"William Barret Travis was the commander in charge at the siege at the Alamo. His appeal for help has been used as an example of Texan courage and fortitude which Davy Crockett responded to by joining William Travis's forces.  The Texas forces of 180-250 were overwhelmed by the attacking 1,300-1,600 Mexican soldiers. The Mexican commanders understood their superiority of numbers and position and offered free passage to all concerned. Travis, supported by his entire force, refused to surrender."

"The most common account of Crockett's fate was that he was killed in the final minutes of the siege, having fallen back to the Alamo's redoubt position of the long barracks with the last dozen or so of Travis' men. Two eyewitness survivors of the Alamo confirm that Crockett did die in the battle. Susanna Dickinson, the wife of an officer, said that Crockett died in the assault and that she saw Crockett's body between the long barracks and the chapel, and Travis' slave Joe said he also saw Crockett lying dead with the bodies of slain Mexican soldiers around him." -Wikipedia

While all official lodge records from Brother Crockett's Lodge were destroyed by fire during the Civil War, his Masonic apron has survived bearing testament to his status as a Mason.

Stay tuned for the next article where I will cover some famous Freemasons who's last names begin with the letters D through G.

In truth and knowledge,
-Scott