Famous Freemasons M - Q
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.
Macy, Rowland Hussey - Owner of a small dry goods store in Haverhill, Massachusetts, he was the founder of R. H. Macy & Company, New York City.
Malmskog, William - First amputee firefighter in California history. Read his story here.
Marsh, Daniel L. - (1880-1968) Clergyman and Educator. President of Boston University, 1925-1952; Chancellor of Boston University, 1951-1968; Doctorates from many colleges and universities but was a down-to-earth and friendly person. On a personal note, at the behest of his son-in-law, a Methodist Minister, he met with this site's author who was then a high school senior and encouraged him to attend college, personally approving his admission to BU! The huge dome of Marsh Chapel named in his honor dominates the campus of Boston University on Commonwealth Avenue in Boston.
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 of the United States
Mason, William Castein - A physician who practiced both medicine and Masonry actively in his native city of Bangor, Maine from the date of his graduation from Harvard University to the day he laid down his working tools. The statement is literally true for within 48 hours of his passing, he performed an extremely difficult operation of which 30 years before he was one of the founders. Named in his honor is the main auditorium of Maine's second largest hospital where he practiced all his life. (Mason Auditorium at Eastern Maine Medical Center.)
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"."
McCown, John - Confederate General who died while attending his lodge meeting in Little Rock, Arkansas
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.
Mclellan, Archibald - Editor-in-Chief , The Christian Science Monitor.
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).
Mellos, Nicholas - Senior Chief Petty Officer, US Navy. He was the senior enlisted person on the P3 airplane which was rammed by a Chinese jet and forced to land in China in 2001. In addition to being awarded the Air Medal, Senior Chief Mellos was one of only two crew members awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for his bravery and leadership during their captivity. (The other MSM went to the aircraft's Commanding Officer.) Bravo Zulu, Senior Chief - from another Senior Chief/Mason!
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.
Montgomery, Richard - First general officer of the (US) Continental Army to be killed in battle (in the attack on the British fort at Quebec City).
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.
Freemasonry regards no man for his worldly wealth or honors. All Masons meet together as equals and put aside their power and position in order to gather in harmony.
Naismith, James - Canadian-born American sports educator who invented the game of basketball
Navikov, Nikolay - Russian journalist who debated with Tzarina Ekaterina the Great and a publisher who published more books than ever before in history.
Neilsen, Neils F. F. Jr. - For decades, Brother Neilsen fought to preserve the 'Old Man of the Mountain', the state symbol of New Hampshire. This huge granite formation is emblazoned on articles throughout New Hampshire. He was honored by being named 'Caretaker-Emeritus' of the monument.
Nelson, Samuel - Supreme Court Justice
New, Harry S. - Postmaster General of the United States who established Airmail
Newman, Robert - Revolutionary War Patriot. He was the Sexton of Christ Church (Old North), Boston, when lanterns were hung for Paul Revere. He served as Grand Tyler for the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts.
Newton, Joseph Fort - Christian Minister and Masonic Author
Newton, Louie D. - President of the Southern Baptist Convention; Vice President of the Baptist World Alliance; served 27 years on the SBC Executive Committee.
Nicholas, Samuel - First American Marine Corps officer, he was also considered the first Commandant of the Marines. He owned the Tun Tavern which the Corps considers their birthplace and which was also the meeting place of the first lodge in Pennsylvania.
Nicholson, Samuel - American Navy and first Commander of the famous frigate, U.S.S. Constitution.
Nickerson, LtGen Herman Jr., USMC - Former Commanding General, Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and Commander of I-Corps theater of operations in Vietnam
Nunn, Sam - Respected former U.S. Senator from Georgia. For seven years, he Chaired the Armed Services Committee.
O'Bannon, Pressley Neville - As a U.S. Marine Lieutenant and Mason, he placed the first 'Stars & Stripes' on foreign soil in defense of US national interests. His heroic achievement was the basis for the line in the Marine Corps hymn, "...to the shores of Tripoli."
O'Higgins, Bernardo - the Liberator of Chile. Educated in England but returned to his country to lead them in their fight for independence form Spain.
Olds, Ransom E. - American automobile inventor and manufacturer. Founded the Olds Motor Company which produced the Oldsmobile.
Oppenheimer, David - Mayor of Vancouver who had the foresight to preserve and enormous tract of land for use as a park, dedicated to Lord Stanley, yet another Freemason.
Otis, James - American Revolutionary politician and publicist. Famous for "Taxation without Representation is Tyranny"
Palmer, Arnold - Golf Professional who for years set the example to make golf a 'gentlemen's' sport
Papst, Charles F. - Coined the term "Athletes Foot"
Peale, Rev. Norman Vincent - American cleric, founder of "Guidepost", and known for his famous book, "The Power of Positive Thinking"
Peary, Admiral Robert E. - First man to reach the North Pole (1909)
Penney, J. (James) C. - US retailer who donated large amounts of money to charity
Pepper, Claude - US Senator from Florida, he was an active supporter of rights for senior citizens and when he died in 1989 he was the oldest man ever to serve in Congress.
Perkins, Jacob - Early American Engraver and Engineer; emigrated to England in 1819 and established the bank note firm of Perkins, Fairman and Heath; this firm produced the first British postage stamps, including the famous "Penny Black".
Perry, Matthew - American Naval hero, he commanded one of the first steam ships and made a famous expedition to the Far East opening it for trade.
Pershing, John Joseph - ("Black Jack") American Army General who led the American Expeditionary Forces in Europe during World War I. In 1921, he was given the rank of General of the Armies, a rank only conferred once.
Pickett, General George E. - Commanded the Confederate lines at the US Civil War battle of Gettysburg and led the final assault.
Pike, Albert - Pioneer, explorer, Confederate General, he re-wrote the rituals of the US Southern Jurisdiction of the Scottish Rite Bodies. Read more about him here.
Pike, Zebulon M. - Discovered the great peak that bears his name. He was killed in action at Toronto during the War of 1812. (Note: there is some controversy about whether the Freemason was Zebulon Pike or his son.)
Pinchot, Bronson - Popular American actor, well-known for his "Balki Bartokamous" in the television series 'Perfect Strangers' which ran from 1986-1993. He also starred in the mini-series Stephen King's 'The Langoliers' as the murderous Toomey and continues to accumulate film credits. Became a Mason in Harford Lodge #445, Pennsylvania in December, 2002.
Pitney, Mahlon - US Congressman and later Supreme Court Justice
Poinsett, Joel R. - First U.S. Ambassador to Mexico and an amateur botanist who developed the flower: Poinsettia.
Polk, James Knox - Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Governor of Tennessee and eleventh President of the U.S.
Pound, Roscoe - Dean, Harvard University School of Law; President International Academy of Comparative Law. He served as a Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts and was considered an outstanding authority on Masonic jurisprudence. A charter member of 'The Harvard Lodge'.
Preble, Edward - Commander of USS Constitution and US Navy hero, he was one of the first five commissioned Lieutenants at the creation of the US Navy. At the commissioning of a new warship named in his honor, the ship's Commanding Officer and members of the crew as well as the Grand Lodges of Maine and Massachusetts laid a wreath at his grave in Portland, Maine.
Pullman, George - Inventor and businessman, he built first sleeping car on train which became a standard throughout the world.
Purdy, George I. - One of the most well-respected businessmen in post-WWII Japan. His autobiography - A Summer for a Lifetime - is one which should be read by Masons and non-Masons alike and talks at length about the importance of Freemasonry in his life. You can buy it at www.goanchor.com. Read the reviews here.
Pushkin, Aleksandr Sergeyvich - Famous Russian poet and author who, among other works, wrote "Boris Godunov".
Putnam, Israel - One of four Major Generals at the start of the Revolutionary War, he was the only one to serve throughout. He is remembered for his order to his troops at the Battle of Bunker Hill: "Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes." His son joined Freemasonry as well.
Putnam, Rufus - American Revolutionary War General, 'Father of the Northwest Territory' and First Grand Master of Masons in Ohio.
Quezon, Manuel L. - First President of the Philippine Senate, first Commonwealth of the Philippines and first Grand Master of Philippine Freemasonry.
Quitman, John Anthony - Legislator, Governor or Mississippi and US Congressman, he served as Grand Master of Masons
"Isn't a Mason bound to answer truthfully when asked if they're a Mason?" a recent online poster asked? The answer is: no more than a person when asked if they're a member of the Anglican Church or the National Rifle Association. However, except for those parts of the world where persecution would subject a member or his family to potential harm, most Masons are proud to have others know of their involvement - as this list attests!
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.
Macy, Rowland Hussey - Owner of a small dry goods store in Haverhill, Massachusetts, he was the founder of R. H. Macy & Company, New York City.
Malmskog, William - First amputee firefighter in California history. Read his story here.
Marsh, Daniel L. - (1880-1968) Clergyman and Educator. President of Boston University, 1925-1952; Chancellor of Boston University, 1951-1968; Doctorates from many colleges and universities but was a down-to-earth and friendly person. On a personal note, at the behest of his son-in-law, a Methodist Minister, he met with this site's author who was then a high school senior and encouraged him to attend college, personally approving his admission to BU! The huge dome of Marsh Chapel named in his honor dominates the campus of Boston University on Commonwealth Avenue in Boston.
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 of the United States
Mason, William Castein - A physician who practiced both medicine and Masonry actively in his native city of Bangor, Maine from the date of his graduation from Harvard University to the day he laid down his working tools. The statement is literally true for within 48 hours of his passing, he performed an extremely difficult operation of which 30 years before he was one of the founders. Named in his honor is the main auditorium of Maine's second largest hospital where he practiced all his life. (Mason Auditorium at Eastern Maine Medical Center.)
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"."
McCown, John - Confederate General who died while attending his lodge meeting in Little Rock, Arkansas
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.
Mclellan, Archibald - Editor-in-Chief , The Christian Science Monitor.
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).
Mellos, Nicholas - Senior Chief Petty Officer, US Navy. He was the senior enlisted person on the P3 airplane which was rammed by a Chinese jet and forced to land in China in 2001. In addition to being awarded the Air Medal, Senior Chief Mellos was one of only two crew members awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for his bravery and leadership during their captivity. (The other MSM went to the aircraft's Commanding Officer.) Bravo Zulu, Senior Chief - from another Senior Chief/Mason!
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.
Montgomery, Richard - First general officer of the (US) Continental Army to be killed in battle (in the attack on the British fort at Quebec City).
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.
Freemasonry regards no man for his worldly wealth or honors. All Masons meet together as equals and put aside their power and position in order to gather in harmony.
Naismith, James - Canadian-born American sports educator who invented the game of basketball
Navikov, Nikolay - Russian journalist who debated with Tzarina Ekaterina the Great and a publisher who published more books than ever before in history.
Neilsen, Neils F. F. Jr. - For decades, Brother Neilsen fought to preserve the 'Old Man of the Mountain', the state symbol of New Hampshire. This huge granite formation is emblazoned on articles throughout New Hampshire. He was honored by being named 'Caretaker-Emeritus' of the monument.
Nelson, Samuel - Supreme Court Justice
New, Harry S. - Postmaster General of the United States who established Airmail
Newman, Robert - Revolutionary War Patriot. He was the Sexton of Christ Church (Old North), Boston, when lanterns were hung for Paul Revere. He served as Grand Tyler for the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts.
Newton, Joseph Fort - Christian Minister and Masonic Author
Newton, Louie D. - President of the Southern Baptist Convention; Vice President of the Baptist World Alliance; served 27 years on the SBC Executive Committee.
Nicholas, Samuel - First American Marine Corps officer, he was also considered the first Commandant of the Marines. He owned the Tun Tavern which the Corps considers their birthplace and which was also the meeting place of the first lodge in Pennsylvania.
Nicholson, Samuel - American Navy and first Commander of the famous frigate, U.S.S. Constitution.
Nickerson, LtGen Herman Jr., USMC - Former Commanding General, Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and Commander of I-Corps theater of operations in Vietnam
Nunn, Sam - Respected former U.S. Senator from Georgia. For seven years, he Chaired the Armed Services Committee.
O'Bannon, Pressley Neville - As a U.S. Marine Lieutenant and Mason, he placed the first 'Stars & Stripes' on foreign soil in defense of US national interests. His heroic achievement was the basis for the line in the Marine Corps hymn, "...to the shores of Tripoli."
O'Higgins, Bernardo - the Liberator of Chile. Educated in England but returned to his country to lead them in their fight for independence form Spain.
Olds, Ransom E. - American automobile inventor and manufacturer. Founded the Olds Motor Company which produced the Oldsmobile.
Oppenheimer, David - Mayor of Vancouver who had the foresight to preserve and enormous tract of land for use as a park, dedicated to Lord Stanley, yet another Freemason.
Otis, James - American Revolutionary politician and publicist. Famous for "Taxation without Representation is Tyranny"
Palmer, Arnold - Golf Professional who for years set the example to make golf a 'gentlemen's' sport
Papst, Charles F. - Coined the term "Athletes Foot"
Peale, Rev. Norman Vincent - American cleric, founder of "Guidepost", and known for his famous book, "The Power of Positive Thinking"
Peary, Admiral Robert E. - First man to reach the North Pole (1909)
Penney, J. (James) C. - US retailer who donated large amounts of money to charity
Pepper, Claude - US Senator from Florida, he was an active supporter of rights for senior citizens and when he died in 1989 he was the oldest man ever to serve in Congress.
Perkins, Jacob - Early American Engraver and Engineer; emigrated to England in 1819 and established the bank note firm of Perkins, Fairman and Heath; this firm produced the first British postage stamps, including the famous "Penny Black".
Perry, Matthew - American Naval hero, he commanded one of the first steam ships and made a famous expedition to the Far East opening it for trade.
Pershing, John Joseph - ("Black Jack") American Army General who led the American Expeditionary Forces in Europe during World War I. In 1921, he was given the rank of General of the Armies, a rank only conferred once.
Pickett, General George E. - Commanded the Confederate lines at the US Civil War battle of Gettysburg and led the final assault.
Pike, Albert - Pioneer, explorer, Confederate General, he re-wrote the rituals of the US Southern Jurisdiction of the Scottish Rite Bodies. Read more about him here.
Pike, Zebulon M. - Discovered the great peak that bears his name. He was killed in action at Toronto during the War of 1812. (Note: there is some controversy about whether the Freemason was Zebulon Pike or his son.)
Pinchot, Bronson - Popular American actor, well-known for his "Balki Bartokamous" in the television series 'Perfect Strangers' which ran from 1986-1993. He also starred in the mini-series Stephen King's 'The Langoliers' as the murderous Toomey and continues to accumulate film credits. Became a Mason in Harford Lodge #445, Pennsylvania in December, 2002.
Pitney, Mahlon - US Congressman and later Supreme Court Justice
Poinsett, Joel R. - First U.S. Ambassador to Mexico and an amateur botanist who developed the flower: Poinsettia.
Polk, James Knox - Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Governor of Tennessee and eleventh President of the U.S.
Pound, Roscoe - Dean, Harvard University School of Law; President International Academy of Comparative Law. He served as a Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts and was considered an outstanding authority on Masonic jurisprudence. A charter member of 'The Harvard Lodge'.
Preble, Edward - Commander of USS Constitution and US Navy hero, he was one of the first five commissioned Lieutenants at the creation of the US Navy. At the commissioning of a new warship named in his honor, the ship's Commanding Officer and members of the crew as well as the Grand Lodges of Maine and Massachusetts laid a wreath at his grave in Portland, Maine.
Pullman, George - Inventor and businessman, he built first sleeping car on train which became a standard throughout the world.
Purdy, George I. - One of the most well-respected businessmen in post-WWII Japan. His autobiography - A Summer for a Lifetime - is one which should be read by Masons and non-Masons alike and talks at length about the importance of Freemasonry in his life. You can buy it at www.goanchor.com. Read the reviews here.
Pushkin, Aleksandr Sergeyvich - Famous Russian poet and author who, among other works, wrote "Boris Godunov".
Putnam, Israel - One of four Major Generals at the start of the Revolutionary War, he was the only one to serve throughout. He is remembered for his order to his troops at the Battle of Bunker Hill: "Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes." His son joined Freemasonry as well.
Putnam, Rufus - American Revolutionary War General, 'Father of the Northwest Territory' and First Grand Master of Masons in Ohio.
Quezon, Manuel L. - First President of the Philippine Senate, first Commonwealth of the Philippines and first Grand Master of Philippine Freemasonry.
Quitman, John Anthony - Legislator, Governor or Mississippi and US Congressman, he served as Grand Master of Masons
"Isn't a Mason bound to answer truthfully when asked if they're a Mason?" a recent online poster asked? The answer is: no more than a person when asked if they're a member of the Anglican Church or the National Rifle Association. However, except for those parts of the world where persecution would subject a member or his family to potential harm, most Masons are proud to have others know of their involvement - as this list attests!