Suggested Reading

The following is reprinted from Arturo de Hoyos, The Scottish Rite Ritual Monitor and Guide (Washington, D.C.: The Supreme Council, 33°, 2009)

There have been so many books written on Freemasonry that it is sometimes difficult for readers to know where to begin. Unfortunately, many of the books are historically worthless and are no more than entertaining fiction. Further, it has recently become popular for some publishers to reprint outdated Masonic titles without considering their educational value—or lack thereof. The following suggested works will provide readers with an authentic understanding of the history, purposes, rituals and symbolism of Freemasonry.

General Freemasonry

  • Steven C. Bullock, Revolutionary Brotherhood. Freemasonry and the Transformation of the American Social Order, 1730–1840 (Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 1996)
  • Harry Carr, The Early French Exposures (London: Quatuor Coronati Lodge No. 2076, 1971)
  • Harry Carr, The Freemason at Work (London: 1976)
Albert Pike's 33rd Degree Eagle Jewel
  • Harry Carr, World of Freemasonry (London: Lewis Masonic, 1984)
  • Henry Wilson Coil, et. al., Coil’s Masonic Encyclopedia (New York: Macoy Publishing & Masonic Supply Co., 1961)
  • Robert L.D. Cooper, The Rosslyn Hoax? Viewing Rosslyn Chapel from a new perspective (London: Lewis, 2006). Although not strictly a Masonic work, this study cogently dismisses some of the unfounded speculations of Robert Lomas and Christopher Knight in their book The Hiram Key.
  • Arturo de Hoyos, ed., Albert Pike’s Esoterika: The Symbolism of the Blue Degrees of Freemasonry (Washington, D.C.: Scottish Rite Research Society, 2005, 2008)
  • Arturo de Hoyos and S. Brent Morris, Committed to the Flames: The History and Rituals of a Secret Masonic Rite (London: Lewis, 2008)
  • Arturo de Hoyos and S. Brent Morris, Is It True What They Say About Freemasonry? The Methods of Anti-Masons (New York: M. Evans and Co., 2004)
  • Arturo de Hoyos and S. Brent Morris, eds., Freemasonry in Context: History, Ritual, Controversy (New York: Lexington Books, 2004)
  • Robert F. Gould, Concise History of Freemasonry (New York: Macoy Publishing, 1924)
  • A.C.F. Jackson, English Masonic Exposures 1760–1769 (London: A Lewis, 1986)
  • Bernard E. Jones, Freemasons Guide and Compendium, rev. ed. (London: Harrap, 1950, 1956)
  • John Hamill, The Craft. A History of English Freemasonry (Great Britain: Crucible, 1986)
  • Alexander Horne, King Solomon’s Temple in the Masonic Tradition (Great Britain: Wellingborough, Northamptonshire: The Aquarian Press, 1972)
  • Alexander Horne, Sources of Masonic Symbolism (Missouri Lodge of Research, 1981)
  • Douglas Knoop and G.P. Jones, The Genesis of Freemasonry: An Account of the Rise and Development of Freemasonry in Its Operative, Accepted, and Early Speculative Phases (Manchester University Press, 1947)
  • Douglas Knoop, G.P. Jones, and Douglas Hamer, The Early Masonic Catechisms, 2d ed. (London: Quatuor Coronati Lodge No. 2076, 1963)
  • W. Kirk MacNulty, Freemasonry: Symbols, Secrets, Significance (London: Thames & Hudson, 2006)
  • S. Brent Morris, ed., Heredom: the Transactions of Scottish Rite Research Society (Washington, D.C.: Scottish Rite Research Society, 1992–present). Heredom includes scholarly articles on all aspects of Freemasonry and is not restricted to research on the Scottish Rite.
  • David Stevenson, The Origins of Freemasonry: Scotland’s Century, 1590–1710 (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2001)
  • David Stevenson, The First Freemasons: Scotland’s Early Lodges and Their Members (Aberdeen, Scotland : Aberdeen University Press, 1988)
  • Charles H. Wesley, Prince Hall Life and Legacy, 2d ed. (Washington, D.C.: United Supreme Council Southern Jurisdiction, Prince Hall Affiliation, 1977, 1983)

Scottish Rite

  • Samuel Harrison Baynard, Jr., History of the Supreme Council, 33°, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the United States of America and its Antecedents, 2 vols. (Williamsport, Pa.: Grip Publishing Co., 1938)
  • James D. Carter, ed., R. Baker Harris, History of the Supreme Council, 33° (Mother Council of the World) Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry Southern Jurisdiction, U.S.A. 1801–1861 (Washington, D.C.: The Supreme Council, 33°, 1964)
  • James D. Carter, History of the Supreme Council, 33° (Mother Council of the World) Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry Southern Jurisdiction, U.S.A. 1861–1891 (Washington, D.C.: The Supreme Council, 33°, 1967)
  • James D. Carter, History of the Supreme Council, 33° (Mother Council of the World) Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry Southern Jurisdiction, U.S.A. 1891–1921 (Washington, D.C.: The Supreme Council, 33°, 1971)
  • Arturo de Hoyos, Light on Masonry. The History and Rituals of America’s Most Important Masonic Exposé (Washington, D.C.: Scottish Rite Research Society, 2008)
  • William L. Fox, Lodge of the Double-Headed Eagle: Two Centuries of Scottish Rite Freemasonry in America’s Southern Jurisdiction (Fayetteville, Ark.: University of Arkansas Press, 1997)
  • William L. Fox, ed., Valley of the Craftsmen. A Pictorial History. Scottish Rite Freemasonry in America’s Southern Jurisdiction 1801–2001 (Washington, D.C.: The Supreme Council, 33°, 2001)
  • Rex R. Hutchens, A Bridge to Light (Washington, D.C.: The Supreme Council, 33°, 1988)
  • Rex R. Hutchens, A Glossary to Morals and Dogma (Washington, D.C.: The Supreme Council, 33°, 1993)
  • Rex R. Hutchens, Pillars of Wisdom. The Writings of Albert Pike (Washington, D.C.: The Supreme Council, 33°, 1995)
  • Rex R. Hutchens and Donald W. Monson, The Bible in Albert Pike’s Morals and Dogma (Washington, D.C.: The Supreme Council, 33°, 1992)
  • Charles S. Lobingier, The Supreme Council, 33° Mother Council of the World Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry Southern Jurisdiction, U.S.A. (Louisville, Ky.: The Standard Printing Co., 1931)
  • Albert Pike, Morals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry (Charleston, A∴M∴ 5632 [1871]; new and revised ed.: Richmond, Va.: L.H. Jenkins, 1950)
  • Albert Pike, Sephir H’Debarim. The Book of the Words. A facsimile of the 1879 second edition. With an Introduction by Art de Hoyos (Washington, D.C.: Scottish Rite Research Society, 1999)
  • Jim Tresner, Vested in Glory. The Aprons, Cordons, Collars, Caps, and Jewels of the Degrees of the Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry (Washington, D.C.: Published for the Scottish Rite Research Society by The Supreme Council, 33°, S.J., USA, 2000)