Simone Lawson
The number of Masons among the signers of the US Constitution has been a topic of debate, with various sources providing different answers. While some sources claim that at least nine of the signers were Freemasons, others suggest that the number could be as high as thirteen, which is about 33% of the total number of signers. Some of the notable founding fathers who were Masons include George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, James Monroe, Paul Revere, John Hancock, and John Marshall. The presence of Freemasons among the founding fathers has sparked curiosity about their political agenda and the influence of Masonic values on the founding of the United States.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of signers of the US Constitution who were Freemasons | 13 |
| Names of the 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 |
| Number of US presidents who were Freemasons | 14 |
| Names of the 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 Founding Fathers who were Freemasons | Benjamin Franklin, Paul Revere, John Hancock, John Marshall |
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What You'll Learn
- Benjamin Franklin, Elbridge Gerry, John Hancock, and William Hooper were Freemasons
- Founding Fathers who were Freemasons include George Washington, Paul Revere, and John Marshall
- There is debate over whether Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and James Madison were Freemasons
- At least nine of the signers of the Declaration of Independence were Freemasons
- Fourteen US presidents have been Freemasons
Benjamin Franklin, Elbridge Gerry, John Hancock, and William Hooper were Freemasons
Benjamin Franklin, Elbridge Gerry, John Hancock, and William Hooper were all Freemasons.
Franklin was a prominent and dedicated member of the Freemasons. He was an active Mason for 60 years and held several important positions within the organisation. He was elected a Provincial Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of England in 1760 and was involved with various lodges in the Northeast and Europe, including the Lodge de Saint Jean de Jerusalem in Rouen, France. Franklin was also an author, editor, inventor, scientist, and politician. He is remembered for his significant contributions to American society and his lasting impact on Masonic history.
Elbridge Gerry, along with George Mason and Edmund Randolph, declined to sign the Constitution, a decision that played a role in the debate over its ratification. Gerry is known for his letter to Massachusetts, in which he outlined his objections to the Constitution.
John Hancock was initiated into the Masonic Lodge of St. Andrew in Boston in October 1762. He was a merchant, smuggler, statesman, and prominent Patriot during the American Revolution. Hancock served as president of the Second Continental Congress and was the first to sign the Declaration of Independence.
William Hooper, a delegate from North Carolina, was also a Freemason.
These four men were among the founding fathers of the United States and played significant roles in shaping the nation's history, both as Freemasons and through their other accomplishments and contributions.
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Founding Fathers who were Freemasons include George Washington, Paul Revere, and John Marshall
Freemasonry is a fraternal voluntary association with a long history, dating back to the Middle Ages and King Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem. Masonic lodges, or meeting places, first appeared in the American colonies in Boston in 1733.
Many of the Founding Fathers of the United States were Freemasons. These include George Washington, who joined in 1752, Paul Revere, who led a Massachusetts chapter, and John Marshall, who greatly influenced the shaping of the Supreme Court. Benjamin Franklin, who led the Pennsylvania chapter, was also a prominent Freemason. He published the first Masonic book in the colonies in 1733 and sent copies to Boston and the Carolinas for sale. John Hancock was also a Freemason, as was Elbridge Gerry, a member of the Philanthropic Lodge in Marblehead, Massachusetts.
The Founding Fathers who were Freemasons shared certain values, such as a belief in self-determination, republic virtues, freedom of the press, and freedom of religion. They also believed in the equality and freedom of thought, striving to make tomorrow's America better than today. However, despite their association with Freemasonry, they did not openly connect their political views to the Masonic fraternity.
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There is debate over whether Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and James Madison were Freemasons
There is much debate surrounding the fraternal affiliations of the Founding Fathers, particularly Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and James Madison. It is often claimed that these men were Freemasons, but this is false.
Thomas Jefferson is frequently linked to the Freemasons, but there is no evidence to support this claim. While a lodge in Surry, Virginia, was named the "Jefferson Lodge", this was likely due to Republican enthusiasm after the 1800 election and does not indicate Jefferson's membership. Jefferson's interest in architecture and mathematics, subjects prominent in Masonic lore, may have contributed to the perception of a Masonic connection. However, no references to Masonic membership have been found in his papers, and his correspondence suggests a negative opinion of fraternal organizations.
Similarly, John Adams is not known to have been a member of any fraternal organization, including the Freemasons. There are no records or indications of his membership in any Masonic lodges or societies.
James Madison, while not extensively discussed in relation to Freemasonry, was present at a ceremony marking the laying of the cornerstone at the University of Virginia in 1817. This event may have given rise to speculation about his Masonic affiliation, but there is no concrete evidence confirming his membership.
The confusion surrounding the Masonic affiliations of these individuals may be due to the secretive nature of fraternal organizations during that era, as well as the prominent roles played by these Founding Fathers in American history. However, it is important to rely on historical records and direct evidence when making such assertions.
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At least nine of the signers of the Declaration of Independence were Freemasons
Freemasonry has a long and complex history in the United States, with the fraternity playing a notable role in the country's early years. At least nine of the fifty-six men who signed the Declaration of Independence are believed to have been Freemasons. This includes prominent figures such as Benjamin Franklin, who was a member of St. John's Lodge in Philadelphia, and John Hancock, who was made a Master Mason in Quebec City in 1760. Other known Masonic signatories include William Hooper, Richard Stockton, and Matthew Thornton.
The specific number of Freemasons among the signers of the Declaration of Independence remains a subject of debate. While nine is the generally accepted minimum, some sources suggest that the actual number may be higher. This is due to the varying definitions of what constitutes a Freemason and the lack of definitive proof of Masonic affiliation for some individuals. For example, Roger Sherman, Josiah Bartlett, and Philip Livingston have been claimed by some to be Freemasons, but their Lodge affiliations are not known or are disputed.
The presence of Freemasons among the Founding Fathers has sparked curiosity and speculation about their political agenda and influence on the founding of the United States. Freemasons are believed to have held progressive views on religion, slavery, and women's rights compared to the societal norms of their time. Their support for separation from Great Britain, for instance, is thought to have been motivated by a desire for religious freedom.
The Founding Fathers who were Freemasons are estimated to comprise approximately 16% of the signatories of the Declaration of Independence. This percentage increases when it comes to the U.S. Constitution, where at least thirteen of the thirty-nine signatories, or about 33%, are believed to have been Freemasons. Notable Freemasons who signed the Constitution include George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and James Monroe.
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Fourteen US presidents have been Freemasons
Since the US presidential office was established in 1789, 45 individuals have served as president. Of these, 14, or 15 if you include Lyndon B. Johnson, are known to have been Freemasons. Johnson was initiated into freemasonry in 1937 but never progressed beyond the first degree of Entered Apprentice.
The first US president, George Washington, was a Freemason. He was initiated in Fredericksburg Lodge, Virginia, in 1752 aged 20. He joined Alexandria Lodge, Virginia, in 1782 and laid the cornerstone of the Capitol Building, Washington, in a masonic ceremony.
James Monroe, the fifth US president, was initiated into St. John's Regimental Lodge, Continental Army, in 1775 during the War of Independence when he was 18 years old. Andrew Jackson was a Tennessee Freemason, initiated in 1820. James Polk, the 11th president, was also a Tennessee Freemason and was initiated in the same lodge as Jackson in 1816.
Other US presidents who were Freemasons include:
- James Garfield, initiated in 1861
- William McKinley
- Harry Truman, initiated in 1909
- Harding, initiated in 1901
- Franklin D. Roosevelt
- Gerald Ford
Additionally, Ronald Reagan was granted an honorary membership in 1988, and Joe Biden was declared a "Mason at Sight" in 2025, although it is disputed whether he accepted membership. Bill Clinton was a member of the Masonic youth group Order of DeMolay. Thomas Jefferson is frequently, yet falsely, linked to the Freemasons.
Regarding the signers of the Constitution, 13 of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence were known to be members of a Masonic lodge. These included Benjamin Franklin, Elbridge Gerry, John Hancock, William Hooper, Richard Stockton, and Matthew Thornton. Several others have been referred to as members of the Fraternity by Masonic writers, but their lodge affiliation is not known.
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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 signers of the US Constitution were Masons:
- Gunning Bedford Jr.
- John Blair
- David Brearly
- Jacob Broom
- Daniel Carrol
- John Dickinson
- Benjamin Franklin
- Rufus King
- George Washington
Masons, or Freemasons, are members of a fraternal organisation that originated from the craft of stonemasonry.
