How it all began…
We have often been asked, “What was the Origin of the Authors’ Lodge?” “How did it begin?” and so on. All such information was given in the first Volume of “The Authors’ Lodge Transactions”, originally published in 1915; but this work, of course, has been out of print for many years, as has “The Author’s Lodge ‘Blue Book’ ”. Of necessity, this account must be brief, and has been taken from Volume VIII.
In 1905, Bro Max Montesole sent a letter to the Directors of the Authors’ Club, in Whitehall Court, asking them to sanction the founding of a Masonic Lodge; to be restricted to members of the Club. As the Author of several books and as a writer of articles in many magazines, Bro Montesole was very well qualified, in a literary sense, to represent the Authors’ Club; but as a PM of the St Leonard Lodge No 1766, Preceptor of two Lodges of Instruction, a Life Governor of three Masonic Charities and as an Oriental scholar, he had unique claims to act as a spokesman for his brother Masons. His motive in advocating an Authors’ Lodge was three-fold.
Firstly; having the prosperity of the Craft at heart, he was convinced that the enlistment under the banner of Freemasonry of men engaged in literary work could not fail to add lustre to the Order. Secondly; he, and others, were desirous of promoting the welfare of the Authors’ Club at a time when its affairs were languishing. And thirdly; it was appropriate that a Masonic body should be identified with a club founded by the late Sir Walter Besant, he having been an eminent Mason and also a founder, and PM, of the Quatuor Coronati Lodge No 2076; the Transactions of which foster a world-wide study of the history and science of our Order.
Those to whom Bro Montesole’s letter was sent gave a qualified assent; but without active official support, very little could be done. In October 1906, following a reconstruction of the Club, Bro Montesole sent a similar letter to the new committee. This was favourably received by the Chairman, but consideration of the matter was postponed. Undiscouraged, Bro Montesole made a third appeal in November 1909, which met with success; official approval being given to the projected Lodge.
This ensured that secretarial co-operation, without which it was impossible for the few habitués of the Club who were Masons to get in touch with others of the Craft, who were also members of the Club. The register of the Authors’ Club was compared, by Bro Algernon Rose, with the official lists in the Masonic Year Book, the roll of the Quatuor Coronati Lodge and other bodies, every name of a Club Member appearing in such Masonic lists being carefully noted. These brethren were asked, first, if they favoured a founding of an Authors’ Lodge in connection with the Club; and, secondly, whether they desired to join. The replies showed that the proposal met with cordial approval.
Accordingly, a Founders’ Meeting was held; on the afternoon of Thursday 6th January 1910, in a room lent by the Directors of Whitehall Court. The following Club members attended: Sir John Brickwood, A. F. Calvert, Dr Thomas Carr, Count Dembski, Percy Edwards, Herbert Gibbons, William Lambert, F. W. Mitchell, Max Montesole, Algernon Rose, Milton Watkins, and T. Cato Worsfold.
Bro Montesole having been elected to the Chair, the notice convening the Meeting, letters and telegrams from absentees were read. Bro Gibbons (PM and Secretary of Lodge of Honour No 526) kindly offered to supply the minute and account books; his death occurred before the consecration of the Lodge. Twenty-three names of members of the Club, who desired to be Founders, were announced. Bros. Sir J. Brickwood and A. E. Aldington were elected; as the Treasurer and Secretary pro tem. A statement having been made of what had been done, it was resolved that Grand Lodge should be petitioned for a Warrant.
The Chairman asked the Meeting to nominate their first Officers. It was resolved unanimously that Bro Montesole be elected Master Designate, Bros. Lucien Wolf (Gallery Lodge No 1928) and Algernon Rose (Queen’s Westminster 2021 and Asaph 1319) be nominated the first Wardens. By-Laws for the government of the Lodge were carefully discussed and resolved upon. It was also carried unanimously that the following memorandum should supplement the By-Laws:
“As the Authors’ is a Class Lodge, promotion to office shall not necessarily proceed by seniority, but the Brethren shall agree to give way to any writer of eminence who, in the general opinion of the Lodge, would confer distinction on the Lodge by being elected to one of the principal Offices.”
The Petition to the Grand Master was signed by twenty Brethren, in the following order:-
1. Max Montesole; PM St Leonard 1766.
2. Lucien Wolf; Gallery 1928.
3. Algernon Rose; Asaph 1319.
4. Sir John Brickwood; PAGDC.
5. Harry J. Shepard; PM Unity 69.
6. Dr Thomas Carr; Past and Present 2665.
7. Dr T. Cato Worsfold; LR Cutlers’ 2730.
8. J. B. Fearnley; PProvGW (W. Yorks).
9. A. F. Calvert; Old King’s Arms 28.
10. A. H. Hunt; PProvAGDC (Suffolk).
11. Herbert Gibbons; Honour 256.
12. J. Milton Watkins; East Surrey 2769.
13. Count Vladimir Dembski; Churchill 478.
14. Rev John G. Gibson; PProvGC (Northumb.).
15. F. W. Mitchell; Constitutional 55.
16. Hubert Johnson; Humber 57.
17. C. W. Lambert; Victoria 1345.
18. A. E. Aldington; Foreland 3209.
19. Percy J. Edwards; PProvAGDC (Middx).
20. Rev P. H. Ditchfield; PProvGC (Berks.).
Through Bro Sir John Brickwood PAGDC this petition was recommended to Grand Lodge by the Grand Master’s Lodge No 1.
After an interval of suspense, showing that Grand Lodge was not inclined to augment the number of London Lodges without due enquiry or good cause, the Charter was granted. On 28th July 1910, a letter, signed by the Master Designate, the Treasurer and Secretary, announced to the petitioners that the Grand Master, HRH the Duke of Connaught, had affixed his autograph. To the delight of the Founders this Warrant of Constitution, empowering the Authors’ Lodge to meet under the English Constitution, bore the number “3456”.
On 6th May 1910 the death had occurred of the Protector of the Craft, King Edward VII; and general Masonic mourning was ordered by Grand Lodge for six months. It was therefore notified, on 26th October, that the Consecration would take place on Wednesday 16th November 1910; the ceremony having been delayed, partly of a desire that the Lodge should not be draped in black at its initial stage.
The hallowing of the Authors’ Lodge therefore took place on Wednesday 16th November 1910. It was an impressive gathering, there being present sixty Brethren, representing more than 40 London and Provincial Lodges. VW Bro Sir Edward Letchworth, FSA, Grand Secretary, represented the Grand Master as chief consecrating officer; and he was assisted by seven other distinguished Grand Officers. A Founder’s jewel was presented to each of the consecrating officers, who were also made Honorary Members of the Lodge. This jewel was of a unique design, devised by Bro A. D. McCormick RI, (of the Arts Lodge 1751), in consultation with Bro Montesole. It showed the head of Hermes (or Thoth of Ancient Egypt and god of the sacred books), the wings of whose helmet upheld an open volume, bearing the words, “Authors’ Lodge No 3456”. This tome was supported on either side by the goddesses of Literature and Truth, above being an inkstand, with crossed quill-pens, and surmounted by a reading-lamp.
Good wishes for the success of the new Lodge were received from Bros Rudyard Kipling, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Sir H. Rider Haggard, the Earl of Ronaldshay, Jerome K. Jerome, and F. M. Hornsby, the managing director of Whitehall Court.
Such was the beginning of the “Authors’ Lodge”.