The Genesis of Freemasonry

Education & Textbooks

By David Harrison

Publisher : Lewis Masonic

ABOUT David Harrison

David Harrison
Dr David Harrison has written many articles and papers on the history of Freemasonry for a number of magazines and journals. His celebrated article on the Masonic rebellion in Liverpool recently appeared in Freemasonry Today: The Best of Ten Years Symbols and Mysteries. He has worked as a  More...

Description

This book is a revealing but thoroughly enjoyable journey through the intricate history of English Freemasonry. Historian Dr David Harrison reconstructs the hidden history of the movement, tracing its roots through a mixture of mediaeval guild societies, alchemy and necromancy. He examines the earliest known Freemasons and their obsessions with Solomon's Temple, alchemy and prophecy to the formation of the Grand Lodge in London, which in turn led to rebellions within the Craft throughout England, especially in York and with the formation of the antients. Harrison also analyses the role of French immigrant Dr Jean Theophilus Desaguliers in the development of English Freemasonry, focussing on his involvement with the formation of the mysterious modern Masonic ritual. All Freemasons and more general readers will find much of interest in this fascinating exploration of the very beginnings of Freemasonry, still one of the most mysterious brotherhoods in the world.

Dr David Harrison has written many articles and papers on the history of Freemasonry for a number of magazines and journals. His celebrated article on the Masonic rebellion in Liverpool recently appeared in Freemasonry Today: The Best of Ten Years Symbols and Mysteries. He has worked as a history lecturer for ten years and researched the complex and hidden history of English Freemasonry for his Phd, which was published by Lewis Masonic and titled The Genesis of Freemasonry. Dr. Harrison has recently been interviewed on many radio programs including the BBC, and has appeared on the contraversial Sky TV program Gardiner's World, discussing his book.

This is an amazing book, and I would highly recomend it to any one interested in the history freemasonry and secret societies. It also covers the social history of the 18th century in England, and looks into the influences of freemasonry; magic, alchemy, necromancy, and looks at historical freemasons such as Christopher Wren, Elias Ashmole and Jean Desaguliers. It easy and enjoyable to read, and unlike some books on the history of freemasonry, it uses proper documents and source material and is all fully referenced. Its got some nice pictures in it as well!