商品簡介
Freemasonry began with the guilds of stonemasons in the Middle Ages experiencing the decline of cathedral building. Some groups of “operative” (working) masons invited honorary memberships to boost their numbers. These usually highly educated new members practiced symbolic or “speculative Freemasonry.” Through ritualistic teachings and social activities, the new Masonic lodges and learned societies offered their quickly growing numbers of Protestant, Catholic and Jewish members an understanding of deism, Newtonian science and representative government, and of literature and the fine arts. This book describes how Masons on both sides of the Atlantic were, for the most part, either enlighteners, political reformers or moderate revolutionaries. Contrary to conspiracy theories, 18th century Masons gave minimal support to radical revolutionary ideas and leaders.
作者簡介
R. William Weisberger has served more than forty years as a professor in the history department of Butler County Community College in Pennsylvania and as an adjunct professor in the University of Pittsburgh’s history department. He has written articles for the East European Quarterly and Pennsylvania History and has published book reviews for The American Historical Review, The Journal of American History and The Journal of Social History.
