Encyclopedia Masonica

Albert Edward, born November 9, 1841, the eldest son of Queen Victoria and Albert, Prince Consort. Initiated by the King of Sweden, at Stockholm, 1868. In 1870 the rank of Past Grand Master of England was conferred upon him; installed as Most Worshipful Grand Master by the Earl of Carnarvon, April 98, 1875; served as Worshipful Master in the Apollo University Lodge, Oxford; the Royal Alpha Lodge, London, and from 1574 was Worshipful Master of the famous Prince of Wales Lodge, No. 959, never losing an opportunity to publicly show his attachment to the Masonic Fraternity.

He was enrolled as Patron of the Grand Lodges of Scotland and Ireland and was an honorary member of the Lodge of Edinburgh, No.1; member and Patron of the Supreme Council of the Thirty-third Degree for England and Grand Master of the Convent General of the Knights Templar. In 1901 he ascended the throne, and then assumed the title of Protector of the Craft, his brother, the Duke of Connaught, succeeding him as Grand Master of Freemasons. Edward VII died May 6, 1910.

The Encyclopedia Masonica exists to preserve the wealth of information that has been generated over the centuries by numerous Masonic authors. As Freemasonry is now Speculative and not Operative, the work of a Mason is now conducted in the quarries of symbolism, literature, history and scholasticism. Freemasonry encourages intellectual exploration and academic achievement in its members and many Masons over the years have taken up this calling. The result has been that an incredible amount of philosophy, symbolic speculation and academic insights have been created. However, as Freemasonry teaches, human knowledge is frail and fragile. It is easily lost in the turnings of the ages and unforeseen catastrophes can result in great setbacks to human knowledge.

For too long these great works have sat on forgotten shelves, gathering dust and concealing the light that could be shed on the darkness of our ignorance. The Encyclopedia Masonica has been created to act as an ark, sailing through time, to ensure that future generations of Freemasons have access to the same knowledge that inspired the Brethren that came before them. It will contain the works of such Masonic Luminaries as Albert G. Mackey, Manly Palmer Hall, G.S.M. Ward, Albert Pike and many others. The Encyclopedia Masonica is a living work and the volunteers of Universal Co-Masonry will continue to labor until the most comprehensive Masonic reference work the world has ever seen has been created. The Encyclopedia Masonica is open to any who wish to use it and will remain open so that the treasures contained within may increase the wealth of all those who seek its wisdom.