Edward Letchworth Explained

Sir Edward Letchworth (1833 - 1917) was a prominent figure in English freemasonry and renowned author on the history of freemasonry.

Life

He was born in 1833 into a Quaker family originally from the Letchworth area. He trained as a lawyer and was a keen volunteer soldier, serving in the Victoria Rifles from 1859 and from 1860 was an officer in the Middlesex Volunteers.^[1]

Originally initiated into the Jerusalem Lodge in 1875, he became a member of several lodges, rising rapidly to the rank of Grand Steward and was President of the Board of Grand Stewards in 1881. He was a member of the Garrick Club.^[2]

He was a Governor of St Bartholomew's Hospital and the Foundling Hospital.^[3]

From 1882^[4] (following the death of Secretary Shadwell Clarke in 1891) until 1915 he was Secretary of the United Grand Lodge of England, with offices at Freemason's Hall, Great Queen Street, Holborn, London.^[5]

In 1914 Letchworth corresponded with Masons imprisoned at Ruhleben internment camp near Berlin during the First World War.^[6] During his period in office he attended the foundation of over 400 lodges.^[7]

He died on 8 October 1917 aged 84 and is buried in Brompton Cemetery in London.

Artistic recognition

Much portrayed (and caricatured) artists creating his likeless include:

• Sir Leslie Ward (as "Spy")^[8]
• John Dick Bowie^[9]
• Walter William Ouless^[10]
• Harry Furniss^[11]

Family

In 1902 (aged 69) he was married to Mary Constance (1851-1921), widow of Thomas Blaikie. They had no children.^[12]

Publications

• Constitutions of the Free and Accepted Masons (1896)
• Constitutions of the Ancient Fraternity (1906)
• United Grand Lodge of England: Constitutions of the Free and Accepted Masons (1911)

Notes and References

1. Web site: Edward Letchworth - Victoria Rifles Lodge No 822. 3 February 2021.
2. Web site: Edward Letchworth - Victoria Rifles Lodge No 822. 3 February 2021.
3. The County Families of the United Kingdom by Edward Walford
4. Web site: FREEMASONRY. E. Letchworth, Grand Secretary United Grand Lodge of England - 1882 - old antique vintage print - art picture prints of Freemasonry : Amazon.co.uk: Home & Kitchen. Amazon UK.
5. Web site: An informal portrait of Sir Edward Letchworth, Grand Secretary of the United Grand Lodge of England, at work in his office within the Freemason's Hall, Great Queen Street (BL15810/009X) Archive Item - The Bedford Lemere Collection Historic England.
6. Web site: Sir Edward Letchworth | Freemasonry Matters.
7. Web site: Edward Letchworth - Victoria Rifles Lodge No 822. 3 February 2021.
8. Web site: Sir Edward Letchworth - Person - National Portrait Gallery.
9. Web site: Sir Edward Letchworth (1833–1917), FSA | Art UK.
10. Web site: Sir Edward Letchworth (1833–1917) | Art UK.
11. Web site: Sir Edward Letchworth - Person - National Portrait Gallery.
12. Web site: Lady Mary Constance Letchworth and MRS Trevor Galsworthy .