Masonic History
Bronze bust of Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex, as Grand Master, wearing his chain and jewel of office and his smoking cap. The bust is attached to a rectangular plinth of yellow marble with a stepped base.
Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex was born on the 27th January 1773 and was the ninth child and sixth son of George III. Suffering with poor health as a child, he spent most of his youth abroad and did not pursue a career in the military or navy because of this. He was initiated into freemasonry on the 20th December 1798 in the Lodge Victorious Truth, Berlin, where he became its Master.
On his return to England he became very active in freemasonry; joining the Prince of Wales‘ Lodge (now 259) in 1800, where he became permanent Master from 1830-1843; Lodge of Friendship, No. 6 in 1806, where he became permanent Master from 1806-1843 and Lodge of Antiquity, No. 2 in 1808, where he became permanent Master from 1808 1843.
He was responsible in 1814 for the resuscitation and later amalgamation of certain lodges to form the present Royal Alpha Lodge, No. 16 as his personal lodge and was its permanent Master from 1818-1843. In 1805 he was elected a Past Grand Master of the Moderns Grand Lodge, Deputy Grand Master in 1812 and Grand Master in 1813. Along with his brother, the Duke of Kent, he worked actively for the union between the Antients and Moderns Grand Lodges and was elected as Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge in 1813, holding that office until his death in 1843. In 1810 he was ‘introduced’ into the Royal Arch and became its First Grand Principal of the Grand and Royal Chapter (Moderns) at the same meeting. Upon the formation of Supreme Grand Chapter in 1817, he became its First Grand Principal and held this office until his death.
( Taken from www.freemasonry.london.museum )
