Scottish Rite Masons
There are, and always have been, many thousands of prominent Masons in the world. It is almost impossible to make comparisons between the achievements of men in such a wide field of human endeavor. The Scottish Rite has had more than its share of great men. We list only a few here to give our reader a sampling of the range of talents which can always be found in the college of Freemasonry. While these names are pehaps household words in America, it is respectfully noted there are many thousands of Scottish Rite men out in the communities of the world who serve admirably as heroes for the families of their towns.
Andrew Johnson – 17th President of the USA. Greenville Lodge No. 19, Greenville, Tennessee. Knight Templar and first President to become 32 deg. Scottish Rite.
Simon Bolivar – South American liberator. Initiated in Cadiz, Spain. Became involved with Knights Templar and Scottish Rites and founded Order and Liberty Lodge No. 2 in Peru.
James Garfield – 20th President of the USA. Columbus Lodge No. 246, Garrettsville, Ohio. Knights Templar and Scottish Rite.
Albert Pike – American lawyer, soldier and author. Confederate General. Sovereign Grand Commander AASR, Southern Jurisdiction.
Warren Harding – 29th President of the USA. Marion Lodge No. 70, Marion, Ohio. Knight Templar, 33 deg. Scottish Rite, first President to become a Shriner.
Franklin D. Roosevelt – 32nd President of the USA. Holland Lodge No. 8, NY City. Also Scottish Rite. He was present at the raising of his three sons, all of whom were raised in Architect Lodge No. 519, NY City. Honorary Grand Master of DeMolays.
Will Rogers – Actor and beloved Humorist; noted for his wry, homespun commentary on society and politics.
Harry S. Truman – 33rd President of the USA. Belton Lodge No. 450, Belton, Missouri. Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Missouri, Knights Templar, 33 deg. Scottish Rite and Shrine Potentate. Honorary Grand Master of DeMolay.
Douglas McArthur – 5 star American General, served in both world wars. Made a Mason “at sight” in the Philippines and became 32 deg in Manilla and life member of the Nile Shrine Temple, Seattle, Washington.
Frank S. Land – In 1919, founded the Order of DeMolay, a fraternal organization for young men aged 12-21. Originally a group of fatherless boys, DeMolay quickly grew and was ‘adopted’ by Freemasonry in the United States. Today DeMolay is international in scope and millions of boys and men still refer to the founder of the Order as “Dad”.
Gordon Cooper – American astronaut. Carbondale Lodge No. 82, Colorado.
John Glenn – American astronaut and Senator, 33 deg. Concord Lodge No. 688, Concord, Ohio.
Manly P. Hall – Founder of the Philosophical Research Society. 33 deg. AASR.
Irving Berlin – American songwriter and composer. Shriner and Scottish Rite. Munn Lodge No. 190 New York City.
Norman Vincent Peale – American clergyman and author. Milwood Lodge No. 1062, Brooklyn, New York.
Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin – American astronaut and member of the first moon landing. 33 deg. Montclair Lodge No. 144 New Jersey.
Gene Autry – Screen western star. Catoosa Lodge No. 185, Catoosa, Oklahoma.
Gerald R. Ford – 38th President of the USA. Malta Lodge No. 465, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Strom Thurmond – The longest-serving United States Senator
Ernest Borgnine – American Actor, Abingdon Lodge No. 48, Abingdon, Virginia.
Alan Simpson – Senator.
Robert Dole – Senator. Russell Lodge No. 177, Russell, Kansas.
Samul Nunn – Respected former U.S. Senator from Georgia. For seven years, he Chaired the Armed Services Committee.
Norman Crosby – Comedian and entertainer. Always seen on the Jerry Lewis telethons for muscular dystrophy in the US. He is a Past Master of a Lodge in Massachusetts.
Trent Lott – US Senator from Mississippi and current (2001) Senator Majority Leader.
Melvin Tillis – American Country Music entertainer. Branson Lodge No. 587, Branson, Missouri 33deg AASR, Grand Cross.
Michael Richards – The talented actor most popularly known as “Kramer” from the Seinfeld television series.
Dave Thomas – Founder of Wendy’s hamburger chain. Sol D. Bayless Lodge No. 359, Fort Wayne IN. 33 deg. AASR. Grand Cross.
There exist more comprehensive and exhaustive lists of famous masons. Two excellent resources are: http://www.durham.net/~cedar/famous.html and http://www.masonicinfo.com/famous.htm.