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George Washington | President 1789-1797 | Master Mason 1753 -- George Washington became a Mason at age 20 in 1753. He may have attended about 9 lodge meetings during the remaining 46 years of his life, and probably never presided over any lodge. However, George Washington wrote letters in which he said he was happy to be a Mason, and also, in 1791, describing Masonry as being "founded in justice and benevolence," and "the grand object of Masonry is to promote the happiness of the human race." But, when he was asked more specifically about Freemasonry in 1798, he wrote, ". . . So far as I am acquainted with the principles and Doctrines of Free Masonry, I conceive them to be founded on benevolence and to be exercised for the good of mankind. If it has been a Cloak to promote improper or nefarious objects, it is a melancholly [sic] proof that in unworthy hands, the best institutions may be made use of to promote the worst designs."

Thomas Jefferson | President 1801-1809 | Charlottesville Lodge #90, Charlottesville Virginia.

James Madison | President 1809-1817 | Hiram Lodge, Westmoreland County Virginia.

James Monroe | President 1817-1825 | Master Mason 1776 -- EA in Williamsburg Lodge #6 at Williamsburg, VA., Nov. 9, 1775, but there is no record of his taking any further degrees. The records of Cumberland Lodge #8 in Tennessee, June 8, 1819, show a reception for Monroe as "a Brother of the Craft." possibly MM 1776

Andrew Jackson | President 1829-1837 | Master Mason 1800\MM 1800? -- His lodge is un-known but he is said to have attended at Clover Bottom Lodge under the Grand Lodge of Kentucky. He was present in lodge at Greeneville in 1801 and acted as Senior Warden pro tem. The records of St. Tammany Lodge #29 at Nashville, which became Harmony Lodge #1 under the Grand Lodge of Tennessee, show that Jackson was a member. Very active in Freemasonry, Grand Master of Tennessee 1822-1823

Martin Van Buren | President 1837-1841 |

John Tyler | President 1841-1845 | Grand Lodge of Kentucky.

James K. Polk | President 1845-1849 | Master Mason 1820 -- EA, FC, MM, in Columbia Lodge #31, Columbia, Tenn., 1820, exalted a Royal Arch Mason in La Fayette Chapter #4 at Columbia in 1825

Zachary Taylor | President 1849-1850 |

Franklin Pierce | President 1853-1857 |

James Buchanan | President 1857-1861 | Master Mason 1817 -- EA Dec. 11, 1816, Lancaster Lodge #43, Lancaster, PA, FC & MM 1817, Junior Warden 1821-1822, Master 1825, exalted in Royal Arch Chapter # 43, in 1826, Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania

Abraham Lincoln | President 1860-1863 | Applied in 1860 -- Abraham Lincoln was not a Freemason. He did apply for membership in Tyrian Lodge, Springfield, Ill. Shortly after his nomination for the presidency in 1860 but withdrew the application because he felt that his applying for membership at that time might be construed as a political ruse to obtain votes. He advised the lodge that he would resubmit his application again when he returned from the presidency. Lincoln never returned. On the death of the president, Tyrian Lodge adopted, on April 17, 1865, a resolution to say "that the decision of President Lincoln to postpone his application for the honours of Freemasonry, lest his motives be misconstrued, is the highest degree honorable to his memory."

Andrew Johnson | President 1865-1869 | Master Mason 1851 -- EA, FC, MM, in Greeneville Lodge No. 119 now #3 at Greeneville, Tenn. in 1851, probably a member of Greeneville Chapter #82, Royal Arch Masons, since he joined Nashville Commandery of Knights Templar #1 in 1859. He received the Scottish Rite degrees in the White House in 1867

James A. Garfield | President 1881 | Master Mason 1864 -- EA & FC Magnolia Lodge #20, Columbus, Ohio, MM Columbus Lodge #3O, 1864, Affiliated with Garrettsville Lodge #246 in 1866, Affiliated with Pentalpha Lodge #23 Washington, D. C. as charter member in 1869. Exalted in Columbus Royal Arch Chapter 1866, and Knight Templar 1866, 14th Degree Scottish Rite 1872

William McKinley | President 1897-1901 | Master Mason 1865 -- He is sometimes said to have received EA, FC, MM, in Hiram Lodge #10 in Winchester, West Virginia, in 1865, but William Moseley Brown is authority for the statement that this event took place in Hiram Lodge #21 at Winchester, Virginia in that year. McKinley affiliated with Canton Lodge #60 at Canton, Ohio in 1867 and later became a charter member of Eagle Lodge #43. He received the Capitular degrees in Canton in 1883 and was made a Knight Templar in 1884. President William McKinley said in 1901 that the brotherhood of fraternal societies was similar to the brotherhood of "equal citizenship" in the U.S.

Theodore Roosevelt | President 1901-1909 | Master Mason 1901 -- EA, FC, MM, in Matinecock Lodge #806, Oyster Bay, NY in 1901. Somewhat active, and very supportive of Freemasonry. Theodore Roosevelt, said in 1902, "One of the things that attracted me so greatly to Masonry . . . was that it really did live up to what we, as a government, are pledged to -- of treating each man on his merits as a Man"

William H. Taft | President 1909-1913 | Master Mason 1901 -- EA Feb. 18, 1909, MM "Mason at Sight" in Kilwinning Lodge #356, Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1901?, Evidently, that made hirn a member at large, for the Grand Lodge issued him a demit and he became a member of that lodge. Somewhat active, and very supportive of Freemasonry

Warren G. Harding | President 1921-1923 | Master Mason 1920 -- EA Lodge #7O, Marion, Ohio, Jun 28, 1901, received no other degree until after becoming U.S. President, FC & MM in Marion Lodge #70 in 1920 (MM Aug. 27, 1920), Royal Arch Chapter degrees in Marion Chapter #62 in 1921; Knight Templar in Marion Commandery #36, in 1921, Scottish Rite and Shrine in 1921

Franklin D. Roosevelt | President 1933-1945 | Master Mason 1911 -- EA Oct 11, 1911, FC, MM, in Holland Lodge #8, New York City, in 1911, Scottish Rite in Albany Consistory 1929, Shrine in 1930. Somewhat active, and very supportive of Freemasonry. Theodore Roosevelt, said in 1902, "One of the things that attracted me so greatly to Masonry . . . was that it really did live up to what we, as a government, are pledged to -- of treating each man on his merits as a Man"

Harry S. Truman | President 1945-1953 | Master Mason 1909 -- EA Feb. 9, 1909, Belton Lodge #450, Grandview, Missouri, MM 1909. In 1911, Truman was the 1st WM of the new Grandview Lodge #618. Grand Master of Missouri 1940-1941. Very active and supportive of Freemasonry, Master of Missouri Lodge of Research while U.S. President, Masonic Ritualist, district lecturer and deputy Grand Master for several years, buried with Masonic rites in Independence, MO, in televised ceremony. Harry S. Truman was Grand Master of Missouri, an enthusiastic Masonic ritualist, and Master of lodges while an active politician. He attended Masonic lodge meetings while campaigning, and while he was President of the U.S., and he wrote, "The greatest honor that has ever come to me, and that can ever come to me in my life, is to be Grand Master of Masons in Missouri"

Lyndon B. Johnson | President 1963-1969 | Lodge #561, Johnson City, Texas. -- EA Oct 30. 1937 Lyndon Johnson received his first degree on October 30, 1937. After receiving the degree he found that his congressional duties (elected in 1937) took so much time he was unable to pursue the masonic degrees.

Gerald R. Ford | President 1974-1977 | Master Mason 1951 -- EA Sep. 30, 1949, Malta Lodge #465, Grand Rapids, Michigan, courtesy FC & MM Columbia Lodge #3, Washington, D.C., Apr. 20 & May 18, 1951. Full Record : Initiated: September 30, 1949, Malta Lodge No. 465, Grand Rapids, Michigan, along with his half-brothers Thomas Gardner Ford (1918-1995), Richard Addison Ford and James Francis Ford. The Fellowcraft and Master Mason Degrees were Conferred by Columbia Lodge No. 3, Washington, D.C., on April 20 and May 18, 1951, as a courtesy to Malta Lodge. Brother Ford was made a Sovereign Grand Inspector General, 33rd degree, and Honorary Member, Supreme Council A.A.S.R. Northern Jurisdiction at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia, on September 26, 1962, for which he served as Exemplar (Representative) for his Class. Brother and President Ford was unanimously elected an Active Member of the International Supreme Council, Order of DeMolay and its Honorary Grand Master, at its Annual Session held at Orlando, Florida, April 6-9, 1975; Brother Ford held this post until January 1977, at which time he became a Past Honorary Grand Master, receiving his Collar and Jewel on October 24, 1978 in Topeka, Kansas, from the Hon. Thomas C. Raum, Jr., Grand Master, Order of DeMolay.

Ronald Wilson Reagan | President 1980-1988 | Honorary Mason 1988 | According to The New Age Magazine and The Northern Light Magazine, the Scottish Rite Grand Commanders jointly presented President Reagan with a certificate (a copy of which is shown in The Northern Light Magazine, April 1988 issue, page 12) that 'conferred the title of Honorary Scottish Rite Mason,' and the Imperial Potentate presented him with a certificate with the designation 'Honorary Member of the Imperial Council' of the Shrine."

George H. W. Bush | President 1989-1993 |

William J. Clinton | President 1993-2000 | DeMolay

George W. Bush | President 2000-2008 | pic

Dick Cheney | V.P. 2000-2008 |
Harry S Truman Lodge #1066

Barack Obama | President 2008 | If the Big "BO" gets elected, he will the first black masonic president. The Post has been informed that he is a 32 degree mason.

1^st Degree : "I [NAME] of my own free will and accord. in the presence of Almighty God and this Worshipful Lodge, erected to Him and dedicated to the Holy Saint John. Do hereby and hereon most solemnly and sincerely promise and swear that I will always hail, ever conceal, and never reveal any of the secret arts, parts, or points of the hidden mysteries of Ancient Freemasonry. which have been heretofore, may at this time, or shall at any future period be communicated to me as such, to any person or persons whomsoever, except it be a true and lawful brother Mason, or within a regularly constituted Lodge of Masons. and neither unto him or them, until by strict trial, due examination, or legal information I shall have found him or them lawfully entitled to the same as I am myself. I furthermore promise and swear that I will not. write, print, paint, stamp, stain, cut, carve, make, nor engrave them, nor cause the same to be done upon anything movable or immovable, capable of receiving the least impression of a word, syllable, letter or character, whereby the same may become legible or intelligible to any person under the canopy of heaven, and the secrets of Freemasonry be thereby unlawfully obtained through my unworthiness. To all of this I most solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, with a firm and steadfast resolution to keep and perform the same without any equivocation, mental reservation, or secret evasion of mind whatever, binding myself under no less a penalty than that of having my throat cut across, my tongue torn out by its roots and buried in rough sands of the sea at low water mark where tide ebbs and flows twice in twenty-four hours, should I ever knowingly or willingly violate this my solemn oath or obligation as an Entered Apprentice Mason. So help me God, and keep me stead�fast in the due performance of the same.� (Duncan, Masonic Ritual and Monitor pg 35-36).

3^rd Degree : The Master Mason�s Oaths include these vows: I furthermore promise and swear, that I will stand to and abide by all laws, rules and regulations of the Master Mason�s Degree, and of the lodge of which I may hereafter become a member as far as the same shall come to my knowledge; and that I will ever maintain and support the constitution, laws, and edicts under which the same shall be holden. Further, that I will acknowledge and obey all the signs and summonses sent to me from a Master Masons� Lodge, or given me by a brother of that degree. Further, that I will keep a worthy brother master mason�s secrets inviolable, when communicated to and received by me as such, murder and treason excepted. Binding myself, under no less penalty than that of having my body severed in two, my bowels taken from thence and burned to ashes, the ashes scattered before the four winds of heaven, that no more remembrance might be had of so vile and wicked a wretch as I would be, should I ever, knowingly violate this my Master Mason�s obligation. So help me God. (Duncan, Masonic Ritual and Monitor pg.95-95)

10^th Degree : An Excerpt taken from the Initiation of the 10th Degree of the Scottish Rite: I do promise and swear on the Holy Bible to keep exactly in my heart all the secrets that shall be revealed to me. And in failure of this my obligation , I consent to having my body opened perpendicularly, and to be exposed for eight hours in the open air, that the venomous flies may eat of my entrails, my head be cut off and put on the highest pinnacle of the world, and I will always be ready to inflict the same punishment on those who shall disclose this degree and break this obligation. So may God help and maintain me. Amen. (Blanchard. Scottish Rite Masonry Illustrated, Vol .1. Pg 196)

During the above initiation ceremony, a dagger (or poniard) is pointed at the chin and drawn down the chest to the waist as if the abdomen was being ripped open to symbolise the seriousness of the oath.

17^th Degree : From the 17th Degree initiation of the Scottish Rite: I ____________ do promise and solemnly swear and declare in the awful presence of the Only One Most Holy Puissant Almighty and Most Merciful Grand Architect of Heaven and Earth that I will never reveal to any person whomsoever below me the secrets of this degree which is now to be communicated to me, under the penalty of not only being dishonoured, but to consider my life as immediate forfeiture, and that to be taken from me with all the torture and pains to be inflicted in manner as I have consented to in the preceding degrees. (Blanchard. Scottish Rite Masonry Illustrated, Vol .1. Pg 448)

During this ritual a skull is placed on a blood stained cloth and the Initiate is told this: �The skull is the image of a brother who is excluded from a Lodge or Council. The cloth stained with blood, that we should not hesitate to spill ours for the good of Masonry�.

18^th Degree : From the 18th Degree of the Scottish initiation Rite: I ___________ do solemnly and sincerely promise and swear under the penalty of all my former obligations which I have taken in the preceding degrees, never to reveal directly or indirectly, the secrets or mysteries of this degree under the penalty of being forever deprived of the true word, to be perpetually in darkness, my blood continually from my body, to suffer without intermission the cruel remorse of soul; that the bitterest gall, mixed with vinegar, be my constant drink; the sharpest thorns for my pillow and that the death of the cross may complete my punishment should I ever infringe or violate in any manner or form the laws and rules which have been, are now, or may be hereafter made known or prescribed to me. And I do furthermore swear, promise and engage on my sacred word of honour, to observe and obey all the decrees which may be transmitted to me by the Grand Inspectors General in Supreme Council of the thirty third degree. So help me God and keep me steadfast in this my solemn obligation, Amen. (Blanchard. Scottish Rite Masonry Illustrated, Vol .1. Pg 473)

For this oath the candidate kneels on the step to the altar with his right hand on a Bible or whatever holy book he chooses (Koran, Vedas, Teachings of Buddha etc.)

30^th Degree : Excerpt from the 30th Degree initiation rite of the Scottish Rite: I ____________ of my own free will and accord, do solemnly and sincerely promise and swear to keep faithful the secrets of the sublime degree of Knights Kadosh and strictly to obey the statutes of the order. All of which I promise to do, under the penalty of death. So help me God. (Blanchard. Scottish Rite Masonry Illustrated, Vol .2. Pg 269-270)

During this initiation the Grand Provost of Justice holds the point of his sword to the heart of the candidate who is taking the oath. He then says:

�When your rashness prompted you to enter this awful sanctuary, you were no doubt informed of the danger which threatened you, and of the trials which still await you. Swear therefore, upon your word of honour, never to reveal what you have seen or heard hitherto. Forget not that the slightest indiscretion will cost your life. Are you still willing to proceed?� (Blanchard. Scottish Rite Masonry Illustrated, Vol .2. Pg 275)