Encyclopedia Masonica

Baron de Kalb. Born at H?ttendorf, Germany, June 29, 1721, and died August l9, 1780. A close friend of Lafayette, he entered the American service as a Major General in 1776, fought in several actions, became second in command at Camden, South Carolina, August 16, 1780, at which time he was wounded and died three days later. He was buried with both military and Masonic honors. It is not positively known where De Kalb received the Degrees of Freemasonry, though there is reason to believe that it was in the Army Lodge No. s 79, chartered April 17, 1780, by the Grand Lodge of w Pennsylvania for the benefit of the Brethren of the Maryland Line. On a visit to South Carolina, Lafavette, under the auspices of Kershaw Lodge, laid the corner-stone of a monument to De Kalb, March 9, 1825, on the spot where he was wounded at the battle of Camden (see History of Freemasonry in Maryland, Edward T. Schultz, volume 4, page 327, and volume 2, pages 477-8).

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.