Williamson, Harry A. (Harry Albro), 1875-1965

Williamson joined the brotherhood of Freemasonry in 1904. He became a student of Masonry and its literature, and embarked on an intensive search for information which would document the "legitimacy" and "subsequent progress" of African Americans in Freemasonry. As a member of the Grand Lodge of New York (Prince Hall), Williamson served as deputy Grandmaster of Prince Hall, its Grand Lecturer, Grand Historian, and Grand Secretary. He was a prolific writer on the subject of Freemasonry.

From the description of Harry A. Williamson papers : additions, 1881-1962. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122455251

Harry A. Williamson was a member of the M. W. Prince Hall Masons. During his lifetime, he held more elected and appointed positions in the Grand Lodge of New York (Prince Hall) than any other member in its history. He was deputy Grandmaster, Grand Lecturer, and Grand Historian, as well as the Grand Secretary for over thirty years. Williamson became a student of Masonry and its literature, and embarked on an intensive search for information to document the "legitimacy" and "subsequent progress" of African Americans in Freemasonry.

A prolific writer on the subject of Freemasonry, Williamson published several articles and monographs, among them, Negroes and Freemasonry (1920), the Negro in Masonic Literature (1922), and The Prince Hall Primer (1925). He was editor of Freemasonry published in Brooklyn, New York and was an associate editor of the Masonic Quarterly Review, which was the official publication of the Grand Lodge. He was also a contributing editor for The National Fraternal Review.

During his Masonic career, Williamson was an honorary member of numerous lodges, a member of six American and foreign societies and a frequent contributor to black and Caucasian periodicals.

From the description of Harry A. Williamson papers, 1831-1965. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122517465