New information on an enduring Masonic controversy involving Prince Charles Edward Stuart (1720-1788) of Scotland will be presented in a lecture by noted Masonic researcher Dr. Marsha Keith Schuchard, on Thursday evening, August 19, at the Atlanta Masonic Center. Dr. Schuchard, who was formerly on the faculty of Emory University in Atlanta, is the author of several books on aspects of Masonic history. Her recent research findings contradict claims of English Grand Lodge historians that "Bonnie Prince Charlie" as Stuart was known, was never a Mason at all.
In 1745, Prince Charles led a great rebellion in Scotland aimed at restoring his father, James Stuart (James III) to the British throne. The Prince's followers, who were known as Jacobites, opposed the Hanoverian kings of England as intolerant usurpers. Following the failure of the rebellion, the English Grand Lodge held that Prince Charles was never a Mason, a view that has been widely accepted ever since. However, archival evidence unearthed in Sweden by Dr. Schuchard reinforces Scottish claims that the Prince was, indeed, a Mason and was a secret Grand Master of the Templars for more than twenty years.
Dr. Schuchard will present the details of her findings and take questions from the audience. She is the author of "Restoring the Temple of Vision: Cabalistic Freemasonry and Stuart Culture." She has has published extensively on eighteenth-century Cabalistic and “illuminist” Freemasonry and its influence on Swift, Ramsay, Swedenborg, and Blake.
The presentation is sponsored by Atlanta Peachtree Lodge #59, F.& A.M. It is free and open to the public. The lecture begins at 7:00 p.m. The Atlanta Masonic Center is located at 1690 Peachtree Street, NW
RSVP at http://bonnieprincecharlie.eventbrite.com/
Is someone going to film it?
ReplyDeleteHas she published anything about her findings? Ars Quatuor Coronatorum, for instance, would surely jump at the chance if indeed there is proof.
A lot of scholars scoff at her theories, especially her claims about Swedenborg. I've read a good deal of her work myself, and my opinion has changed over the years, from credulity to caution. I like how she stirs the pot though.
Academia needs people like her to come along once in a while.
Terry, I don't know. Just got back from two weeks of travel. I will attempt to find out more.
ReplyDeleteI'm slugging through her book, Restoring The Temple of Vision, right now. It is massive, and each chapter could stand to be expanded into a book on its own. That she has done a massive amount of research is unquestionable. Still too early to get a bead on her overall thesis. I just started.
ReplyDeleteI would love to attend next Thursday's presentation, but I am headed for Sioux Falls, SD that day.
There's a scathing review of the book by Mason Andrew Prescott, in Aries : journal for the study of western esotericism, vol. 4 (2004), as well as her response in the same issue.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to track it down. BTW, to my knowledge, Andrew Prescott is not a Mason, unless something has changed in the last year or so.
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