US Presidents Who Were Freemasons
- Photo:
- Gilbert Stuart
- Wikimedia Commons
- Public Domain
As a 20-year-old planter, young George Washington became a Master Mason, the highest beginning rank in the organization. He was later elected Worshipful Master of Alexandria Lodge No. 22. Additionally, the Bible Washington used when sworn in was from the St. John’s Lodge No. 1, of the Ancient York Masons.
That Bible has since been used by a number of other presidents.
- Age: Dec. at 67 (1732-1799)
- Birthplace: Popes Creek, Colony of Virginia, British America
- Presidency: 1
- V.P.: John Adams
- Profession: Surveyor, Politician, Soldier, Military Officer, Farmer
- Photo:
- Photo:
- Samuel Morse
- Wikimedia Commons
- Public Domain
Monroe is thought to have apprenticed in 1775 at Williamsburg Lodge No. 6, but not taken his membership further than that.- Age: Dec. at 73 (1758-1831)
- Birthplace: Monroe Hall, Virginia, British America
- Presidency: 5
- V.P.: Daniel D. Tompkins
- Profession: Politician, Farmer, Lawyer
- Photo:
- Photo:
- Thomas Sully
- Wikimedia Commons
- Public Domain
Jackson was an active Mason, attending several Lodges and eventually becoming Grand Master of Masons of Tennessee, from 1822 to 1824.- Age: Dec. at 78 (1767-1845)
- Birthplace: Waxhaw Settlement between North Carolina and South Carolina, British America
- Presidency: 7
- V.P.: Martin Van Buren, John C. Calhoun
- Profession: Prosecutor, Judge, Politician, Soldier, Farmer
- Photo:
- Photo:
- National Archives and Records Administration
- Wikimedia Commons
- Public Domain
Polk was initiated as a Master Mason in 1820, became a Royal Arch Mason in 1825, and as president, arranged for the laying of the cornerstone of the Smithsonian in 1847.- Age: Dec. at 53 (1795-1849)
- Birthplace: Pineville, North Carolina, USA
- Presidency: 11
- V.P.: George M. Dallas
- Profession: Politician, Farmer, Lawyer
- Photo:
- Photo:
- Brady daguerreotype (Mathew Brady)
- Wikimedia Commons
- Public Domain
An extremely active Mason, Buchanan was initiated as a Master Mason in 1817. He served as Junior Warden of his lodge, then Worshipful Master of the lodge in 1825. He was then exalted in Royal Arch Chapter No. 43, in 1826, and became Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.
- Age: Dec. at 77 (1791-1868)
- Birthplace: Cove Gap, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Presidency: 15
- V.P.: John C. Breckinridge
- Profession: Politician, Diplomat, Lawyer
- Photo:
- Photo:
- Mathew B. Brad/Mmxx
- Wikimedia Commons
- No known copyright restrictions
Johnson became a Master Mason in 1851, likely of Greeneville Chapter No. 82, Royal Arch Masons. While in office, Johnson was initiated as a 33rd Degree member of the Scottish Rite, the highest possible degree of Masonry.- Age: Dec. at 66 (1808-1875)
- Birthplace: Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
- Presidency: 17
- Profession: Politician, Tailor
- Photo:
- Photo:
- Unknown; part of Brady-Handy Photograph Collection
- Wikimedia Commons
- Public Domain
Garfield was initiated as a Master Mason in 1864. He was affiliated with a number of different Lodges, and rose to the 14th Degree of Scottish Rite.- Age: Dec. at 49 (1831-1881)
- Birthplace: Moreland Hills, Ohio, United States of America
- Presidency: 20
- V.P.: Chester A. Arthur
- Profession: Laity, Politician, Lawyer, Teacher
- Photo:
- Photo:
- Unknown author
- Wikimedia Commons
- Public Domain
Legend has it that while serving in the Union Army, McKinley witnessed kindness between Confederate and Union soldiers who were Masons, and felt compelled to join the organization. He became a Master Mason after the war, joining Hiram Lodge No. 21 in Virginia.
He then joined a lodge in Canton, OH, advancing to the rank of Royal Arch Mason.
- Age: Dec. at 58 (1843-1901)
- Birthplace: Niles, Ohio, United States of America
- Presidency: 25
- V.P.: Theodore Roosevelt, Garret Hobart
- Profession: Politician, Lawyer
- Photo:
- Photo:
- Pach Bros.
- Wikimedia Commons
- Public Domain
Shortly before becoming president due to McKinley's assassination, Roosevelt joined the local Masonic Lodge in his hometown and vacation home of Oyster Bay, NY. He stayed an active member during and after his presidency.- Age: Dec. at 60 (1858-1919)
- Birthplace: New York City, Manhattan, USA, New York
- Presidency: 26
- V.P.: Charles W. Fairbanks
- Profession: Statesman, Politician, Police officer, Historian, Conservationist
- Photo:
- Photo:
- Harris & Ewing
- Wikimedia Commons
- Public Domain
Taft joined Freemasonry the same year his longtime friend Teddy Roosevelt did, becoming a Master Mason at Lodge No. 356, in his hometown of Cincinnati, OH. He became a full member in 1909, just before being elected president.
Though not an especially active Mason, he did visit a number of Lodges, and spoke well of the organization.
- Age: Dec. at 72 (1857-1930)
- Birthplace: Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
- Presidency: 27
- V.P.: James S. Sherman
- Profession: Judge, Jurist, Lawyer
- Photo:
- Photo:
- Harris & Ewing
- Wikimedia Commons
- Public Domain
Harding was initiated in 1901, but due to disputes about his heritage, as well as personal animosity between members, he didn't officially become a Master Mason until 1920. He held several other ranks in Masonry until his passing in 1923.- Age: Dec. at 57 (1865-1923)
- Birthplace: Blooming Grove, Ohio, United States of America
- Presidency: 29
- V.P.: Calvin Coolidge
- Profession: Businessperson, Politician, Journalist, Newspaper
- Photo:
- FDR was an active Mason, first as a Master Mason in 1911, then in a number of different Lodges. In 1934, he was made an honorary Grand Master of the Order of DeMolay, a Masonic youth organization.
- Age: Dec. at 63 (1882-1945)
- Birthplace: New York City, USA, New York, Hyde Park
- Presidency: 32
- V.P.: John Nance Garner, Henry A. Wallace, Harry S. Truman
- Profession: Politician, Soldier, Corporate lawyer, Writer, Lawyer
- Photo:
- National Archives and Records Administration. Office of Presidential Libraries. Harry S. Truman Library
- Wikimedia Commons
- Public Domain
Truman was one of the most active and enthusiastic Mason presidents. He was initiated as a Master Mason in 1911, and two years later broke away from his Lodge with several others to form his own lodge, of which he was elected Worshipful Master.
In 1940, he was elected Grand Master of Masons of Missouri, and shortly after World War II ended, he attained the 33rd Degree rank. Truman spent over 50 years active in Freemasonry.
- Age: Dec. at 88 (1884-1972)
- Birthplace: Lamar, Missouri, USA
- Presidency: 33
- V.P.: Alben W. Barkley
- Profession: Businessperson, Politician, Haberdasher, Farmer, Writer
- Photo:
- Photo:
- David Hume Kennerly
- Wikimedia Commons
- Public Domain
Ford was initiated as Master Mason in 1949, and earned several other Masonic ranks. He was awarded the 33rd Degree in 1961, served as an Honorary Grand Master and as an Active Member of the International Supreme Council - continuing his involvement into his presidency.- Age: Dec. at 93 (1913-2006)
- Birthplace: Omaha, Nebraska, USA
- Presidency: 38
- V.P.: Nelson Rockefeller
- Profession: Politician, American football player, Lawyer
- Photo:
