Simone Lawson
Many of the Founding Fathers of America were Freemasons, and it is believed that about 33% of those who signed the US Constitution were also Masons. While the exact number is unclear, it seems that at least nine of the signers can be conclusively documented as Freemasons, with some sources suggesting an additional four men may have been Masons as well. The Founding Fathers who were Freemasons shared common values and views, such as the desire to separate from Great Britain to secure religious freedom and democracy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Freemasons who signed the US Constitution | 13 out of 39 (33%) |
| Names of Freemasons who signed the US Constitution | Gunning Bedford Jr., John Blair, David Brearly, Jacob Broom, Daniel Carrol, John Dickinson, Benjamin Franklin, Rufus King, George Washington, and possibly 4 others |
| Notable Founding Fathers who were Freemasons | George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Paul Revere, John Hancock, and Chief Justice John Marshall |
| Number of US Presidents who were Freemasons | 14 |
| Names of US Presidents who were Freemasons | George Washington, James Monroe, Andrew Jackson, James Polk, James Buchanan, Andrew Johnson, James Garfield, William McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt, William Taft, Warren Harding, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Harry S. |
| Notable Masonic writers and publications | Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library Blog, Sarasota147.org |
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What You'll Learn
Who were the founding fathers who were also Masons?
Freemasonry, a fraternal voluntary association, was a phenomenon that was growing in Scotland, England, and Ireland in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. The first Masonic book published in the colonies was Benjamin Franklin's reprint of Anderson's constitution in 1733. The first Lodge in the American colonies was opened in Boston in 1733.
Many of the Founding Fathers of America were Freemasons. It is believed that about 13 of the 39 (33%) men who signed the US Constitution were Freemasons. Some of the notable Founding Fathers who were also Freemasons include:
- George Washington, who is one of the most famous Freemasons from the Founding Fathers. He received the Master Mason degree and is believed to have joined in 1752.
- Benjamin Franklin, who led the Pennsylvania chapter. He is believed by many to be the most important person from the revolutionary period who was not a president or vice president.
- Paul Revere, who led a Massachusetts chapter.
- John Hancock
- Chief Justice John Marshall, who greatly influenced the shaping of the Supreme Court.
Other Founding Fathers who were Freemasons include Gunning Bedford Jr., John Blair, David Brearly, Jacob Broom, Daniel Carrol, John Dickinson, Rufus King, and James Monroe.
Freemasons from this time period were often men who were ahead of their time, sharing views that many others during this time did not understand. They believed in creating a better world, pushing for the separation of America from Great Britain to secure religious freedom and democracy. They also often pushed for equality in categories such as slavery and women's rights.
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What are the varying estimates of how many Masons signed the Constitution?
The number of Masons who signed the US Constitution is a subject of some debate. While it is clear that several of the Founding Fathers were Freemasons, the exact number of Masons who signed the Constitution is less clear-cut.
Some sources state that at least nine of the signers can be conclusively documented as Freemasons. These individuals are Gunning Bedford Jr., John Blair, David Brearly, Jacob Broom, Daniel Carroll, John Dickinson, Benjamin Franklin, Rufus King, and George Washington.
Other sources suggest that the number of Masons among the signers may have been higher. One source estimates that about thirteen of the thirty-nine signers (33%) were Masons. This higher estimate may include individuals who were suspected or believed to be Masons but for whom there is not conclusive documentation. For example, Roger Sherman, Josiah Bartlett, and Philip Livingston have been referred to as Masons by Masonic writers and in Masonic publications, but their Lodge affiliation is not definitively known.
The variation in estimates may be due in part to the different definitions and criteria used to identify a Freemason. For instance, the question arises as to whether "Masonic signers" refer to individuals who were Freemasons at the time of signing the document or at some point in their lifetime.
Despite the varying estimates, it is clear that Freemasonry played a significant role in the lives of many of the Founding Fathers and the formation of the United States.
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What were the political agendas of the Masons?
While the political agendas of Freemasons have been a topic of debate among historians, there are some common values and views that can be identified. Freemasonry, as the world's largest fraternal organization, offered a systematic creed with its own myths, values, and rituals. It promoted certain codes of conduct, including a communal understanding of liberty, equality, and fraternity. These ideals reflected the English Revolution against royal absolutism and were particularly prevalent in France during the Enlightenment, with an estimated 50,000 to 100,000 French Masons by 1789.
In terms of specific agendas, Freemasons typically espoused anticlericalism and promoted unification, often in opposition to the Catholic Church. They played a significant role in fostering Italian nationalism and supported constitutional liberalism in Russia during the 19th century. Freemasons were also associated with the cause of Liberalism in Europe and were active in introducing Enlightenment ideals in Russia, despite government suppression.
In the United States, Freemasons among the Founding Fathers, such as George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Paul Revere, sought to solidify the separation from England and secure religious freedom and democracy. They believed that separation from Great Britain was necessary to create a truly religious and free nation. Freemasons are thought to have had more progressive views on slavery and women's rights compared to the general population at the time.
However, it is important to note that Freemasonry did not have a standardized set of political views, and lodges operated separately. Masons did not act together as a group politically, and individual Masons maintained a peaceable subservience to their respective governments. While they were expected to disown any rebellious actions, they were not to be expelled from the lodge solely for their political opinions.
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What are the defining values of a Mason?
Freemasonry, or Masonry, is the oldest fraternal organisation in the world. Its origins can be traced to the stonemasons and cathedral builders of medieval times. Today, it is a force in the lives of millions of men across the globe.
Freemasonry is not meant to interfere with an individual's commitment to his faith, family, or occupation. It is a positive environment that reminds every freemason of his duty to himself, his family, and his community. The core ethical principles of freemasonry are about compassion and tolerance for all mankind. The traditions of the lodge are founded on the building of King Solomon's Temple, and its fraternal ceremonies use the working tools of the stonemasons to symbolise moral lessons of brotherly love, relief, and truth.
The idea of Masonic brotherhood probably descends from a 16th-century legal definition of a "brother" as one who has taken an oath of mutual support to another. Accordingly, masons swear at each degree to support and protect their brethren. In most lodges, the oath or obligation is taken on a Volume of Sacred Law, whichever book of divine revelation is appropriate to the religious beliefs of the individual brother (usually the Bible in the Anglo-American tradition).
Freemasons are committed to bettering themselves and their communities, having taken a solemn vow to help and mentor their Masonic brothers do the same. They are eager to be part of something bigger than themselves, with a reverence for history, compassion in their hearts, and a desire to create a better future. They are men of honour and integrity, charity, and obligation. Each freemason has a vow to be the best he can be.
Freemasonry encompasses three main approaches, which influence practice throughout Continental Europe: Liberal (or adogmatic/progressive), Traditional, and Conservative.
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What is the evidence that specific signers were Masons?
There is evidence that at least nine of the signers of the US Constitution were Freemasons. These nine are Gunning Bedford Jr., John Blair, David Brearly, Jacob Broom, Daniel Carroll, John Dickinson, Benjamin Franklin, Rufus King, and George Washington. Some sources suggest that four other men who signed the Constitution were also Freemasons, but this is not conclusively documented.
The process of joining a Masonic lodge typically involves being approached and "co-opted" by an existing member, but it must be of the candidate's "own free will and accord". Candidates are usually introduced to the lodge through sponsorship, with two members signing a petition. This preliminary phase can last from a few months to several years, and includes several informal meetings to establish mutual trust and clarify expectations.
In the case of George Washington, there is visual evidence of his Freemason membership, as he can be seen wearing his Masonic apron in a picture. Benjamin Franklin is also believed to be a Freemason, as he led the Pennsylvania chapter.
It is important to note that the definition of a "Freemason signer" is not always clear. Some sources consider a "Freemason signer" to be someone who received the Master Mason degree, while others include any man who took the Entered Apprentice degree. Additionally, it is unclear if the "Masonic signers" were Freemasons at the time they signed the document or if they became Freemasons at some point in their lives.
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Frequently asked questions
It is believed that about 13 of the 39 men (33%) that signed the US Constitution were Masons.
The following men who signed the US Constitution can be conclusively documented as Freemasons: Gunning Bedford Jr., John Blair, David Brearly, Jacob Broom, Daniel Carroll, John Dickinson, Benjamin Franklin, Rufus King, and George Washington.
Yes, many of the Founding Fathers of America were Freemasons, including Paul Revere, who led a Massachusetts chapter, and John Hancock.
