I have heard often , the mentioning of the name ALbert Pike.
Some accuse him of being the worst of freemasonry, some regard him as a hero.
It is uncertain to me what to belive, as people lie and manipulate facts for their own media agendas.
Who was Sir Albert Pike ?
What did he represent to Freemasonry ?

PS. I would prefer the answer from people who are already members of the Craft.

Thank you for the question.

Albert Pike was a prominent American Mason during the last half of the 19th century.  He is most noted for having served as the Grand Commander of the Supreme Council of Scottish Rite Masons of the Southern Jurisdiction from 1859 to 1891. During that time he rewrote the rituals, reorganized the administration, and transformed the organization into what it is today. But his influence was primarily felt in one aspect of the Fraternity - the Scottish Rite Southern Jurisdiction.  He is not a figure in Blue Lodge Masonry, the York Rite, the Shriners, or really even in the Scottish Rite Northern Jurisdiction.

As a prominent Mason, he became the target of a massive hoax, and a couple of minor conspiracy theories.  Conveniently enough, these all took place after he had died. The rumors, legends, and stories live on. 

I hope this helps.
-Robert

time he rewrote the rituals

What was the purpose of rewriting those rituals?

Well, Albert Pike is an interesting topic. First, he was NOT “Sir Albert Pike”. Albert Pike was a brilliant man, he self-educated sort of like Abe Lincoln, reading and studying on his own, until he mastered many topics. Like Lincoln, he did become a lawyer, although he never earned a law degree, nor completed any bar exams.

Albter Pike taught himself Latin, and Sanskrit, and other languages.  He served in the Confederate Army, during the War between the States, and reached the rank of Brigadier General. He is the only Confederate General officer, buried in Washington DC. He was very influential in Scottish Rite Masonry, Southern Jurisdiction (Basically all of the states, south of the Ohio river, and west of the Mississippi River).  Scottish Rite Masonry uses rituals and ceremonies in certain of its degrees and lessons. Pike modernized some of the rituals, and re-organized most of the administrative functions of Scottish Rite Masonry.

He is best known for his book “Morals and Dogma”, which is an attempt to condense a great deal of Masonic and esoteric knowledge down into one book. This book is Pike’s own work, and in the front pages it says basically: “Everyone is free to agree or disagree with this book”, or words to that effect.  Morals and Dogma was never officially recognized by the Scottish Rite, or any masonic body, as an official text.

This is just a brief sketch of the man’s life and work. You can learn more about him on the internet, or in books. Good Luck.

I ordered Morals&Dogma of the internet.
I can’t believe i found it in Romania.
I am very pleased and looking forward to a great lecture.

cemab4y - 18 May 2008 05:30 AM

Well, Albert Pike is an interesting topic. First, he was NOT “Sir Albert Pike”. Albert Pike was a brilliant man, he self-educated sort of like Abe Lincoln, reading and studying on his own, until he mastered many topics. Like Lincoln, he did become a lawyer, although he never earned a law degree, nor completed any bar exams.

When Albert Pike was living there were no “law degrees” to speak of in the US.  One became an attorney by studying under a practicing attorney, by “reading law” (usually for several years) and then applying for admission to the Bar.  You can still become a lawyer this way in a few states, most notably the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Pike was admitted to the Bar in Arkansas, which means he did pass whatever requirements they had in place for admission at the time.

Morals and Dogma is without a doubt a unique book and a heavy, heavy read.

"Morals and Dogma” is indeed a tough nut to crack. The information presented in it, is very esoteric and difficult for a modern 21st century person to fathom. There is an introduction by Henry Claussen “Claussen’s commentaries on Morals and Dogma”, that is one way to navigate through the book. I have a copy, but I have not yet read it. The Claussen book is available from many of the online book retailers.