Encyclopedia Masonica

Born at East town, Pennsylvania, January 1, 1745, died at Erie, Pennsylvania, December 15, 1796. A surveyor in native State and in Nova Scotia, he recruited and led a Pennsylvanian regiment in the American Revolution and became a Brigadier-General in 1777. His bravery earned the name of "Mad Anthony" and he was in 1792 appointed by Washington the Major General in command of the regular army and by his military victories and successful negotiations with the Indians, opened the Northwestern United States to civilization. Reputed to be a Freemason but his Lodge not identified with certainty. Brother Julius F. Sachse in General Lafayette's Fraternal Connections, 1916, page 5, alludes to "Brothers A. Saint Clair, William Irving and General Anthony Wayne." Brother Phil A. Roth, Masonry in the Formation of Our Government, 1927, page 82, says "He was a member of Winchester Lodge No. 12, according to some statements but they do not mention the State. We believe he was a member, having often been mentioned

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.