|
" The Masonic Enlightenment: "
Harrison, David
| Document Type
|
:
|
Latin Dissertation
|
| Record Number
|
:
|
1096919
|
| Doc. No
|
:
|
TLets490655
|
| Main Entry
|
:
|
Harrison, David
|
| Title & Author
|
:
|
The Masonic Enlightenment:\ Harrison, David
|
| College
|
:
|
University of Liverpool
|
| Date
|
:
|
2007
|
| student score
|
:
|
2007
|
| Degree
|
:
|
Ph.D.
|
| Abstract
|
:
|
This study investigates the transitional phases of English Freemasonry from the midseventeenthcentury into what can be described as a Masonic Enlightenment duringthe eighteenth century. This movement was part of a wider enterprising evolution ledby the Newtonian experimental natural philosopher Dr. John Theophilus Desaguliersand James Anderson, both members of the London based Grand Lodge founded in1717 and both staunch Hanoverians. The ritual, along with the accompanyingMasonic symbolism, quickly became adopted into what would become known as'Modem' Freemasonry, which spread its influence around England.One of the aims of this thesis is to assess why it was embraced by some areas, yetrejected by others, such as York. Scholarship to date has avoided analysis of theMasonic ritual, with Freemasonry being seen as a secret society, and many of theoriginal documentation relating to Masonic lodges being held in private collections.The United Grand Lodge of England has only recently opened its 'archive and libraryto the public, though this has only revealed how much documentary material haseither been lost or destroyed. An example of this is the absence of personalcorrespondence relating to Desaguliers' Masonic ritual changes, despite the evidencethat changes where made by him. An objective of this dissertation is to examine whythe development of 'Modem' Freemasonry was so successful, and why Desaguliers,and other members ofthe Royal Society were attracted to the Craft.The study will also assess the fermentation of Freemasonry as it transmuted from the'operative' society into 'a more 'speculative' one during the seventeenth century.Precious little academic work has been published on this aspect of the society, andthis study will analyse the contributions of Christopher Wren and Isaac Newton on thedevelopment of the Craft, concentrating on their emphasis upon the search for thedivine measurement of Solomon's Temple. The later changes to the Masonic ritualreflected their work, displaying themes for the search of lost ancient knowledge setagainst the backdrop of the construction of Solomon's Temple. In this Masonic questthe ethos ofFreemasonry became shaped by fashionable and attractive concepts ofthe'New Science' merging with the 'Old Science' of magic and alchemy. Theseconcepts which became appealing in the light ofthe social and political atmosphere ofthe Whig Oligarchy of early eighteenth century England, will also be discussed, thestudy concluding with an examination of the overall contribution of the MasonicEnlightenment on English society.
|
| Added Entry
|
:
|
University of Liverpool
|
| |