Famous Masons Section

So many times people say " I have never known or heard of anyone who was a Mason". This is a very common response. But chances everyone knows a few people who were Masons.

Here are a few well known and respected men: John Wayne (Actor), Wolfgang Mozart (Musician), Will Rogers (Actor), Ernest Borgnine (Actor), Clark Gable (Actor), "Duke" Ellington" (Musician), George Washington (Farmer, Politician(1st President of the United States)).

Abbott, Sir John J.C. - Canadian politician who served as Prime Minister (1891-1892).
Abbott, William "Bud" - Famous half of the Abbott & Costello comedy team.
Acuff, Roy - "King of Country Music"
Aldrich, Nelson Wilmarth - U. S. Senator, known for his extensive impact on banking reform. He also served as Treasurer of the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island.
Aldrin, Edwin E. - Known as "Buzz" - American astronaut who as a crew member of Apollo 11 became the second human being to walk on the moon (July 20, 1969).
Alfond, Harold - Owned famous 'Dexter Shoe Company' and noted philanthropist. Sports complexes throughout Maine made possible by his generous contributions bear his name. 
Allen, Charles H. - First Governor of Puerto Rico (1800-1802) when it was freed of its 400 year despotic rule by Spain.
Allen, Ira - Known as the 'Father of Vermont', he played a significant role in the acceptance of Vermont as a State and then gave land to help found the University of Vermont.
Althouse, Monroe - Director, Ringgold Band of Pennsylvania
Ames, Ezra - Portrait painter who painted portraits of Washington, Alexander Hamilton, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Martin Van Buren, George Clinton, DeWitt Clinton.
Anderson, Brad - Cartoonist and creater of the popular 'Marmaduke' comic strip
Anderson, Robert - Major General U.S. Army who was in command of Fort Sumter at time of Confederate attack. Known as "Hero Of Fort Sumter."
André, Major John - British soldier who attempted to assist Benedict Arnold in his treasonous betrayal of West Point. He was sendenced to death and hanged in 1790.

Antheil, George  - Eccentric composer of the 1920s. His trademark work was the 1924 work "Le Ballet Mecanique", which incorporated sounds from machines like airplane propellers and car horns. 
Archer, Dennis - Mayor of Detroit, Michigan
Arlen, Richard - Movie actor.
Armstrong, Louis - Known as "Satchmo."   American jazz trumpeter. A virtuoso musician and popular, gravelly voiced singer, he greatly influenced the development of jazz.
Arnold, Eddie - Country Music legend and member of the Grand Ole Opry
Arnold, General Henry "Hap" - Medal of Honor recipient and American general whose efforts helped establish what is now the U.S. Air Force. Commander, Army Air Force in World War II.
Arthur William Patrick Albert / Prince Arthur - Third son of Queen Victoria and the longest serving Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England
Asher, Max - US movie actor - Keysone Kop.
Audubon, John James - American ornithologist and artist known for his imposing works in full color of Birds of America.  He referred to himself as a "Mason" and "Brother" in his diary but no proof has been found of his membership. 

Auker, Elden - US baseball 'submarine' pitcher
Austin, Stephen F. - American colonizer and political leader who worked to make Texas a state of Mexico but later helped Texas settlers gain their independence (1836). Known as the 'Father of Texas'.
Autry, Gene  - American actor who made some 90 movies from the 1930s through the 1950s, cowboy singer ("Back in the Saddle Again" and more), and professional sports team owner (original owner of the California Angels baseball team). Many young people today have grown up listening to his rendition of "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer". Brother Gene was a "true gentleman".

F

Faber, Eberhard - Head of the famous Eberhard Faber Pencil Company.
Fairbanks, Douglas - American silent film actor known for his performance in swashbuckling adventures such as 'Robin Hood'
Farragut, David G. - Admiral, US Navy. Leading Union naval officer of the US Civil War. 
Feller, Bob - Hall of Fame baseball pitcher with the 28th most winning record.
Fernández-Juncos, Manuel - Hero of Puerto Rico, the capital's second most important boulevard is named after him.
Fiala, Anthony - War correspondent and famous photographer of Brazilian and polar expeditions.
Field, Stephen J.  - US Supreme Court Justice (1863-1897)
Fields, W. C. - American entertainer known for his raspy voice, bulbous nose, and sardonic disposition. His films include My Little Chickadee (1940) and Never Give a Sucker an Even Break (1941).
Fisher, Geoffrey - English churchman, the 99th Archbishop of Canterbury. He became Bishop of London in 1939, and archbishop of Canterbury in 1945. Fisher was a distinguished pastor and administrator, helping to reorganize the work of the Church of England after World War II. As President of the World Council of Churches (1946-54), he was a vigorous proponent of ecumenism.
Fitch, John - American inventor, who probably developed the first American steamboat, an achievement often attributed to American inventor Robert Fulton.
Fleming, Sir Alexander - British bacteriologist who discovered penicillin in 1928. He shared a 1945 Nobel Prize for this achievement.
Foelsche, Paul - First police inspector in Australia's Northwest Territories.
Ford, Gerald R. - 25 year Congressman and Minority Leader of the US House of Representatives, he was appointed Vice President of the U.S. in the wake of the Spiro Agnew scandal. When President Richard Nixon resigned, he became the 38th President of the United States. 
Ford, Glenn - Famous US movie actor
Ford, Henry - Invented the first gasoline powered automobile in 1893, founded Ford Motor Company in 1903 and mass-produced the first widely available and affordable car
Franklin, Benjamin - American printer (he published the first book to come off the press in the colonies - Anderson's Constitutions of 1723), author, diplomat, philosopher, and scientist, whose contributions to the American Revolution (1775-1783), and the newly formed federal government that followed, rank him among the country's greatest statesmen. He held the Masonic title of Grand Master of Pennsylvania and was one of the 13 Masonic signers of the Constitution of the United States.  
Francona, Tito - US baseball player for the Cleveland Indians. He held a record for the most hits for a player in under 400 at bats.
Frederick II ("The Great") - King of Prussia (1712-1786) Effective military commander, music composer, patron of literature and the arts and institutor of many social reforms.
Fulton, Robert - Often referred to as a Mason (as a member of Hiram Lodge in New York City), his Masonic membership cannot be established factually.  At least one Masonic Lodge was named for him - Robert Fulton Lodge #104, New York, NY.

G

J

Jackson, Andrew - 7th President of the United States (1829-1837) and first Westerner to be elected President. A national military hero for his actions in the Battle of New Orleans during the War of 1812, His term addressed many of the significant issues in the formation of the country but was marked by political partisanship so common in that time. He left a legacy of a strong presidency. He was Grand Master of Masons in Tennessee two terms (1822-1824).
Jackson, Reverend Jesse - Baptist Minister, American civil rights leader and politician. His concerns for the oppressed and his dramatic oratory have attracted a large grassroots constituency called the Rainbow Coalition.
Jackson, Robert H. - American Supreme Court Justice and Prosecutor at the Nuremberg War Trials.
Janos, Paul - Mayor of Tarrytown, NY (2000)
Jenner, Edward - English physician. Discoverer of small pox vaccine.
Johansson, Bengt - Finnish composer
Johnson, Andrew - The 17th President of the United States, he succeeded the assassinated Abraham Lincoln. An attempt to unseat Secretary of War Edwin Stanton led to his impeachment on purely political grounds; he was acquitted by one vote.
Johnson, Richard M. - American Vice President under Martin VanBuren  
Jolson, Al - American vaudeville and film performer, whose trademark became minstrel-style singing in blackface makeup. He starred in 'The Jazz Singer', the first important motion 'talking' picture with synchronized sound.
Jones, Anson - 5th President of the Republic of Texas
Jones, Frank - Hotel and brewery owner, President of the Boston & Maine Railroad, his hotel hosted the delegates to the conference that ended the Russo-Japanese War. Brother Franklin Roosevelt was awarded the Nobel Peace prize for his skills in negotiating at that conference.
Jones, John Paul - Scottish born seaman, he became a naval hero and 'Father of the U. S. Navy'. He later commanded Russian naval ships in their war against the Ottoman empire.
Jones, Melvin - One of the founders of the Lions International, the international service organization.
Juarez, Benito - President of Mexico whom some refer to as "the George Washington of Mexico".

L

Ladd, Dr. Joseph - Pioneer in Rhode Island on behalf of the mentally retarded
Lafayette, Marquis de - French soldier and politician, he took part in the American Revolution as a close supporter and friend of Brother George Washington.
Lake, Simon - Engineer who built the first submarine to operate successfully in open sea.
LaGuardia, Fiorello - American politician, the major airport in New York city is named in his honor. 
Lamar, Joseph R. - US Supreme Court Justice
Lamar, Mirabeau B. - American politician and diplomat, he was the 2nd President of the Republic of Texas and later served as Minister to Nicaragua.
Land, Frank S. - In 1919, founded the Order of DeMolay, a fraternal organization for young men aged 12-21. Originally a group of fatherless boys, DeMolay quickly grew and was 'adopted' by Freemasonry in the United States. Today DeMolay is international in scope and millions of boys and men still refer to the founder of the Order as "Dad".
Lawrence, J. B. - Vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention and Secretary-Treasurer of the Home Mission Board for 30 years.
Lawton, Henry Ware - US Civil War Medal of Honor winner, he was a Major General at the famous charge of the Rough Riders at San Juan Hill by Bro. Col. Theodore Roosevelt. He was killed in a battle against insurgents in the Philippines and has been honored by them on a postage stamp issued in 1966.
Lewis, Meriwether - American soldier and explorer who, with fellow Mason William Clark conducted the first overland exploration of the West and Pacific Northwest. He also served as Governor of the Louisiana Territory and was proclaimed a National Hero. He was the first Master of St. Louis Lodge #111.
Lincoln, Elmo - First actor to play 'Tarzan of the Apes' (1918)
Lindbergh, Charles - American aviator who made the first solo transatlantic flight.
Lipton, Sir Thomas - British merchant and yacht racer who opened a successful chain of grocery stores in Great Britain and established tea processing factories in England and the US.
Livingston, Robert R. - American statesman and diplomat, he was a member of the Continental Congress, was on the committee which drew up the Declaration of Independence and was a co-negotiator for purchase of Louisiana Territory.
Lloyd, Harold C. - Entertainer and American silent film actor
Long, Odel Squier - Clerk of the Supreme Court of West Virginia for 30 years.
Lott, Trent - US Senator from Mississippi and current (2001) Senator Majority Leader.
Loving, Oliver - "Dean of the Texas trail-drivers". The Goodnight-Loving Trail was named in his honor.
Lyons, Theodore A. - Baseball pitcher who struggled to bring credibility back to the shattered Chicago White Sox out of their scandal-ridden period in the early 1900s.

M

MacArthur, General Douglas - A former US Chief of Staff, he commanded the Allied Forces in the South Pacific during World War II. He promised the Filipino people "I shall return" to save them from the occupying Japanese Forces. He was ultimately removed from military leadership by another Mason, President Harry S. Truman.
MacDonald, Sir John A. - The first Prime Minister of the Dominion of Canada (1867-1873 and 1878-1891 when he died in office). Began the creation of rail service across Canada. 
MacLean, John B. - Founder of MacLeans Magazine.
Macquarie, Lauchlan - Major General and the first governor in Chief of New South Wales.  During his twelve years in office he raised NSW from a prison camp to a thriving colony.
Marsh, Henry - First Black Mayor of Richmond, Virginia (1977)
Marshall, George C. - American soldier, diplomat and politician. He served as Secretary of State from 1947-1949 and organized the European Recovery Plan most often referred to as the "Marshall Plan" for which he received the 1953 Nobel Peace Prize. 
Marshall, James W. - Discovered Gold at Sutter's Mill California 1848
Marshall, John - A former Grand Master of his Grand Lodge (Virginia), he servied as Chief Justice U.S. Supreme Court 1801 - 1835 and firmly established the judiciary branch of US government.
Marshall, Peter - Presbyterian pastor of churches in Georgia & Washington, DC, Chaplain of the US Senate and author of such books as 'Mr. Jones, Meet the Master'. His biography is entitled "A Man Called Peter".
Marshall, Thomas R. - 22nd Vice President of the United States.
Marshall, Thurgood - The first Black to be appointed to the Supreme Court
Massey, Hart - Massey-Ferguson farm equipment
Mathews, Stanley - US Supreme Court Justice
Mayer, Louis B. - Film producer who merged to form Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
Maynard, David S. "Doc" - Pioneer settler doctor who named the city of Seattle, Washington. He helped create the Washington Territory.
Mayo, Dr. Charles - One of the brothers who began the world-famous Mayo Clinic, recognized as the first 'medical group practice' in the United States.
Maytag, Fredrick - Headed the company which produced farm equipment, the now little-known Maytag car and the first washing machine capable of being operated by an outside power source.
McCall, Abner V. - President, Chancellor and President-Emeritus of Baylor University in Texas, he also served as the First Vice President of the Southern Baptist Convention (1979-80) and a long-time leader of the Organization of Baptist Colleges and Universities. He wrote "In thousands of meetings of Freemasons and of Baptists stretching back 60 years, I have seen nothing that made my belief and work in the Fraternity of Freemasons incompatible with my belief and work as a member of a Southern Baptist church."
McCarthy, Glenn H. - Famous Houston oilman, known as "king of the wildcatters"; built the Shamrock Hotel and was the basis for the character of Jett Rink played by James Dean in the 1956 film "Giant"."
McCoy, Clyde L. - Inventor of the 'wah-wah- trumpet and talented arranger.
McHenry, James - Was a surgeon in the American Revolution and private secretary to Generals Washington and Lafayette. Fort McHenry, Maryland, of "Star Spangled Banner" fame was named after this U.S. Secretary of War.
McKenzie, Dr. Parker Paul - A Kiowa Indian, he created an alphabet and recorded the words, grammar and syntax to provide a written language for Kiowa. At the time of his death in 1999, he was the oldest living Kiowa. 
McKinley, William - The 25th President of the United States (1897-1901). His presidency was marked by the Spanish-American War (1898), the annexation of Cuba and the Philippines, an open-door policy with China, and the passage of the Gold Standard Act (1900). He was assassinated by an anarchist in Buffalo, New York.
McLemore, Richard A. - President of Mississippi College in Clinton, Mississippi.
Melchior, Lauritz - One of the world's foremost Wagnerian tenors.
Mellon, Andrew - Financier, public official, philanthropist; He helped found the Union Trust Company of Pittsburgh (1898), the Gulf Oil Corporation (1895), the Pittsburgh Coal Company (1899), the Aluminum Company of America, and the company that built the Panama Canal locks. He served as Secretary of the Treasury under three presidents and stressed policies aimed at reducing the national debt. He forged agreements with European governments for repayment of their World War I debts and served as ambassador to Britain (1932--33). In 1913 he established the Mellon Institute for Industrial Research and he endowed the National Gallery of Art (1937).
Menninger, Dr. Karl A. - Psychiatrist famous for treating mental illness and headed the Menninger Foundation until his death in 1990.
Menninger, Dr. William - Psychiatrist with the Menninger Clinic, Topeka, Kansas. Was active with the Boy Scout movement and in 1934 wrote the "Skipper's Handbook" for Sea Scout Leaders.
Mercherle, George Jacob - Founder of State Farm Insurance
Mesmer, Franz Anton - practiced Mesmerism, the precursor of hypnosis in modern psychotherapy.
Mfume, Kweisi - U. S. Congressman and President and CEO of the NAACP.
Michelson, Albert Abraham - Successfully measured the speed of light in 1882. For this and other pioneering work in optical instrumentation, he became the first American scientist to win a Nobel Prize (1907).
Minton, Sherman - US Senator and Supreme Court Justice from 1949-1956.
Mitchell, Edgar D. - US Astronaut who flew on the Apollo 14 mission.
Mix, Tom - Champion rodeo rider, soldier and cowboy, he stared in over 400 western films
Mokranjac, Stevan - Serbian composer (18560-1914)
Molson, John - Founder of Molson Breweries.
Monroe, James - The fifth President of the United States (1817-1825), whose administration was marked by the acquisition of Florida (1819), the Missouri Compromise (1820), in which Missouri was declared a slave state, and the profession of the Monroe Doctrine (1823), which declared U.S. opposition to European interference in the Americas.
Montgolfier, Jacques Etienne - Co-developer with his brother of the first practical hot-air balloon.
Moody, William H. - Supreme Court Justice
Moore, David - Well known Baptist pastor in Southeastern New Mexico until his death in 1992 at the age of 103.
Morris, Rob - Lawyer, educator, 'Poet Laureate of Masonry', and founder of the Order of the Eastern Star.
Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus - (1756-1791) Austrian composer considered among the greatest and most prolific composers in history. Of his more than 600 compositions, the finest works, including his last three symphonies (1788) and the operas Don Giovanni (1787)and The Magic Flute (1791), were written in the last five years of his short life.
Murphy, Audie - Most decorated American Soldier of WWII, he also achieved fame as an actor in movies (Westerns). An autobiographical movie was made of his heroic combat exploits. He was active and interested in Freemasonry as this page on this excellent website about his life explains.
Murrow, Joseph Samuel - Southern Baptist Home Missionary - and the 'Founder of Freemasonry in Oklahoma', he is said to have established more than 100 churches.

The  list of Famous Masons above was acquired from several different sources