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Famous Masons

Dr. T. J. Barnardo (1845-1905). Philanthropist, and founder and director of homes for destitute children. His work is continued today by the charity Barnardo's.

Robert Burns (1759-1796). Scottish poet and lyricist. He was regarded as a pioneer of the Romantic movement and after his death became an important source of inspiration to the founders of liberalism and socialism.

Sir Winston L. S. Churchill (1874-1965). British politician known chiefly for his leadership during World War II. He served as Prime Minister from 1940 to 1945 and again from 1951 to 1955.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930). Author noted for his stories about the detective Sherlock Holmes, which are generally regarded as a major innovation in the field of crime fiction.

Sir Alexander Fleming (1881-1955). Biologist and pharmacologist who published many articles on bacteriology, immunology and chemotherapy. His best-known achievements include the discovery of the enzyme lysozyme and the antibiotic substance penicillin.

Rudyard J. Kipling (1865-1936). English author and poet, best known for his works The Jungle Book, Just So Stories and Kim. He was the first author writing in the English language to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature and remains its youngest ever recipient.

Sir Leonard Hutton (1916-1990). English cricketer who dominated the national and international cricket scene for the decade following the Second World War. He was honoured with the England team captaincy, breaking an age-old tradition that the position could be held only by an amateur.

Latest News

July 25th: The Freemasons' Grand Charity announces £1 million in major grants. More...

July 12th: Appeal 2011, held in support of the Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys, has so far raised the magnificent sum of £891,330. More...

Mar 7th: The Freemasons' Grand Charity approves £20,000 in relief for the Chile earthquake. More ...

Jan 15th: The Freemasons' Grand Charity approves £30,000 in relief for the Haiti earthquake. More...

Nov 25th: The Freemasons' Grand Charity awards £10,000 for Cumbrian flood relief efforts. More...

Oct 15th: The Freemasons' Grand Charity awards £400,000 to non-Masonic charities. More...

Oct 15th: The Freemasons' Grand Charity donates £50,000 to the Red Cross Asia Pacific Disasters Appeal. More...

Sept 4th: Are you thinking of becoming a Freemason? More...

Sept 4th: The United Grand Lodge of England's new website is revealed. More...

Aug 10th: Malvern's Freemasons donate £1,000 to Community Action! More...

June 16th: The Freemasons' Grand Charity gives £2 million to national charities. More...

June 10th: The Malvern Hills Lodge website goes live! More...

June 10th: The Freemasons' Grand Charity donates £5,000 in emergency aid to flood stricken Namibia. More...

June 5th: The Freemasons' Grand Charity presented grants totalling £550,000 to ten charities at a special event commemorating the anniversary of the installation of His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent, KG, as Grand Master. More...

[News Archive]

Freemasonry and Society

Introduction

This text is intended to expand a topic mentioned in the leaflet 'What is Freemasonry'. It explains the United Grand Lodge of England's view on Freemasonry and Society.

Grand Lodge's Policy

It must be clearly understood by every member of the Craft that his membership does not in any way exempt him from his duty to meet his responsibilities to the society in which he lives. The Charge to the new Initiate call on him to be exemplary in the discharge of his civil duties; this duty extends throughout his private, public, business or professional life.

Respect for the Law

Freemasonry demands from its members a respect for the law of any country in which a man may work and live.

Principles

The principles of Freemasonry do not in any way conflict with its members' duties as citizens, whether at work or at home or in public life, but on the contrary should strengthen them in fulfilling their public and private responsibilities. Thus there is no conflict of interest between a Freemason's obligation and his public duty.

If an actual or potential conflict of duties or interests is known to exist or is foreseen, a declaration to that effect should be made.

It may on occasions be prudent to disclose membership to avoid what others mistakenly imagine to be a potential conflict or bias, but this must be a matter for individual judgement.

Use of Membership

A Freemason must not use his membership to promote his own or anyone else's business, professional or personal interests. This is made clear directly or by inference several times during a Freemason's early career so that no Freemason can pretend to be ignorant of it. A Freemason who transgresses this rule may be suspended from Masonic activities or even expelled.

Family

Freemasonry should not be allowed to harm a man's family or other connections by taking too much of his time or his money, or causing him to act in any way against their interests.

Duty as a Citizen

A Freemason's duty as a citizen must always prevail over any obligation to other Freemasons, and any attempt to shield a Freemason who as acted dishonourably or unlawfully, or to confer an unfair advantage on another Freemason is contrary to this prime duty.

Personal or Business Difficulties

If it could be proved by evidence that any personal failure or business difficulty was attributable to 'Masonic influence', Masonic authority would take a serious view of the fact, as this would be contrary to the principles of Freemasonry.

Secrecy

Freemasonry is not a secret society.

Like many other societies, it regards some of its internal affairs as private matters for its members.

There is no secret about its aims and principles. Copies of the constitutions and rules can be obtained from Freemasons' Hall by interested members of the public.

The 'secrets' of Freemasonry are concerned with its traditional modes of recognition. Its ceremonies are private.

In ordinary conversation there is very little about Freemasonry that may not be discussed.

On enquiry for acceptable reasons, Freemasons are free and will be proud to acknowledge their own membership.