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.