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10 Famous Men You Didn't Know Were Freemasons - Part 1

by John Paul Gomez February 10, 2012 0 Comments

Steve Wozniak

Best known as: Co-founder of Apple Computers

Initiated: 1980

Member of: Charity Lodge No. 362, Campbell, CA

Quotable Quote: "You have to think offensively and defensively and see where your opponent is going to go. Your mind has to be totally aware of the whole situation. That doesn't come the first time you play.”

The Ringling Bros

Best known as: Entertainers

Initiated, Passed, and Raised: All of them between 1890-1891

Member of: Baraboo Lodge No. 34, WI

Eddie Murphy (Confirmed- not a Freemason. Confused with Audie Murphy who is a war hero and also an actor)

Best known as: A comedian

Initiated: Unknown

Member of: North Hollywood Lodge No. 542, CA (see note below)

Quotable Quote: “In reality, all men are sculptors, constantly chipping away the unwanted parts of their lives trying to create a masterpiece.”

Note: Though Eddie Murphy is listed as a Freemason in numerous Masonic websites (including Wikipedia's list of Famous Freemasons). I couldn't find any record of the date when he was Initiated, Passed, and Raised. I also wonder if some people have just confused him with Freemason Audie Murphy (1924-1971) of Hollywood Lodge No. 542, CA.

EDIT (June 25, 2012): Bro. Jeff M., a member of North Hollywood Lodge No. 542 and Ken Butters confirmed that I (and wikipedia) have confused Audie Murphy with Eddie Murphy. Audie Murphy and not Eddie Murphy is a member of North Hollywood Lodge No. 542 where they have a special room dedicated in his memory.

John Molson

Best known as: Founder of Molson Breweries

Initiated: Date unknown but he is known to have served as the Worshipful Master of St. Paul's Lodge from June to December 1791 and from June 1795 to June 1796.

Member of: St. Paul's Lodge, No. 374

Antoine-Joseph "Adolphe" Sax

Best known as: The inventor of the Saxophone

Initiated: Unknown

Member of: Loge Les Vrais Amis de L'Union

Note: His petition for initiation was found in the archives of the Lodge "Les Vrais Amis de l'Union" but no other record of his membership exists.

Richard J. Gatling

Best known as: The inventor of the Gatling Gun

Initiated: Unknown

Member of: Center Lodge No. 23, Indianapolis, Ind

J. C. Penny

Best known as: Founder of JCPenney

Initiated: April 18, 1911, P. May 19, 1911, R. June 2, 1911

Lodge: Wasatch Lodge No. 1 F&AM Utah

Samuel Colt

Best know as: The inventor of the Revolver

Initiated: Unknown

Member of: St. John’s Lodge No. 4, Pythagoras Chapter No. 17, Washington Commandery No. 1, all of Hartford, CN

Frederick Louis Maytag

Best known as: Inventor of the automated washing machine

Initiated: I. April 23, P. May 14, R. Sept 13, 1887

Member of: Newton Lodge No. 59, Newton, Iowa

Louis Armstrong

Best known as: Jazz musician

Initiated: Unknown

Member of: Montgomery Lodge No. 18, Lodge of Montgomery No. 18, PHA, New York, NY (membership disputed. see notes below)

Note: According to historians, Louis Armstrong may have been a member of numerous "Masonic" groups but none of them are recognized by the Prince Hall Grand Lodge.

John Paul Gomez

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Founder and Designer for FraternalTies, the tie that binds. Family, Freemasonry, Muaythai: Fighting anxiety, depression, & PTSD the natural way- with love, philosophy, and sports.