Encyclopedia of Freemasonry, Part 2: And its Kindred Sciences Comprising the Whole Range of Arts, Sciences and Literature as Connected With the Institution

by Albert G. MacKey, Edward L. Hawkins, William J. Hughan

And its Kindred Sciences Comprising the Whole Range of Arts, Sciences and Literature as Connected With the Institution. Volume two of a two volume set. (This description is for all volumes.) Mackey knew that very "few men have the means, time, and the inclination for the purchase of numerous books, and for the close and attentive reading of them...to acquire a knowledge of all matters connected with the science, the philosophy, and the history of his Order." It was this thought that suggested to him that he should collect materials for a work which under one cover might help to enlighten his Brethren. This book is so absorbing you could sit and read it from cover to cover. It also serves as a handy reference guide for any Masonic question that may arise. Highly recommended.

943 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1873

About the author

Albert Gallatin Mackey was a medical doctor and Freemason who served as Grand Lecturer and Grand Secretary of The Grand Lodge of South Carolina, as well as Secretary General of the Supreme Council of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite for the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States.

Reviews

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read the original (a two-volume set) upon checking it out through an inter-loan library service. The information is addressed well and it is certainly the kind of book that you can open to any particular page and find a subtopic that fascinates you.

That is what I love the most about reference books printed in the late 1800s, they contained scholarly and in-depth information yet everything about the information was written in such a way that "sold itself" to the reader.

As compared to todays time, where some reference books can contain more boastful talk from the editors and less scholarly input, or, concise scholarly input that leaves the reader feeling disappointed and thinking "why the hell did you create such a concise encyclopedia?".