Description

Illustrations of Masonry (FreeMasonry Exposed)

By Capt. William Morgan | First Published 1827 | Goodson Gallery Digital Archive Edition

One of the most infamous exposés in American history, Illustrations of Masonry by Captain William Morgan shattered the veil of secrecy around the Freemasons — and may have cost the author his life. Originally published in 1827, this book documents the rituals, symbols, grips, and ceremonial language used in Masonic lodges across early America. Now, for the first time in digital form, this high-resolution PDF scan preserves the complete content and formatting of this politically explosive first edition.

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About the Book:

Captain William Morgan, a former Freemason turned whistleblower, devoted over thirty years to Masonic study before penning Illustrations of Masonry. The book includes:

• Lodge-room rituals, grips, and signs

• Descriptions of Masonic degrees and initiation ceremonies

• Interpretations of secret symbols and emblems

• A first-person account of his experience within the fraternity

Morgan intended the book to expose the hidden structure and influence of Freemasonry, which had spread across American civic institutions by the early 19th century.

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The Scandal That Followed:

Shortly before the book’s release, Morgan was abducted and disappeared under suspicious circumstances. Believed by many to have been murdered by fellow Masons to suppress publication, his fate caused national outrage. This event triggered the creation of the Anti-Masonic Party, the first third-party political movement in U.S. history, and permanently altered public perception of secret societies in American life.

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Download Details:

This edition was republished by Ezra A. Cook of Chicago, with added engravings depicting lodge-room layouts, signs, grips, and symbols. Our version is faithfully scanned from an original 19th-century copy, preserving its rare and controversial history.

• Format: High-resolution PDF

• Length: Approx. 59 pages

• Original Copyright: 1827

• Delivery: Instant digital download

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Authenticity Guarantee:

This book was professionally scanned directly from our personal antique copy and remains 100% true to the original edition. No words, formatting, or illustrations have been changed.

Note: The cover image shown is a stylized Goodson Gallery Digital Archive Edition, created for consistency across our collection.

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Ideal For:

• Historians of American political and religious movements

• Researchers of secret societies, conspiracy, and Masonic history

• Readers interested in early whistleblower literature

• Collectors of rare and suppressed first-edition books

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“God said, Let there be Light — and there was Light.”
— Frontispiece, Illustrations of Masonry