The 4th Earl of Carnarvon (1831-1890) and freemasonry in the British Empire
Historians who have considered the role of freemasonry in the British Empire have pointed out that some of the more prominent players on the imperial stage in the latter half of the nineteenth century were freemasons and have assumed that their freemasonry was significantly relevant to their political lives. Moreover, in the case of the 4th Earl of Carnarvon, a leading English freemason and twice Britain's Colonial Secretary, it has been claimed that his 'imperialist and Masonic agendas merged' and that he used freemasonry to promote the realisation of his imperial vision. This thesis tests that claim by examining in greater detail Carnarvon's two careers and the relationship between them. In case studies of Carnarvon's involvement with Canada, South Africa and Australia the extent to which the establishment of independent masonic Grand Lodges in those territories between 1850 and 1890 was consistent with or ran counter to Carnarvon's imperial philosophy is explored. It is contended that while freemasonry was much more than a passing episode in Carnarvon's life, its relevance to his imperial interests has recently been overestimated, and that his careers as a politician and statesman on the one hand and as
Daniel, James Wallace
The 4th Earl of Carnarvon (1831-1890) and freemasonry in the British Empire. Historians who have considered the role of freemasonry in the British Empire have pointed out that some of the more prominent players on the imperial stage in the latter half of the nineteenth century were freemasons and have assumed that their freemasonry was significantly relevant to their political lives. Moreover, in the case of the 4th Earl of Carnarvon, a leading English freemason and twice Britain's Colonial Secretary, it has been claimed that his 'imperialist and Masonic agendas merged' and that he used freemasonry to promote the realisation of his imperial vision. This thesis tests that claim by examining in greater detail Carnarvon's two careers and the relationship between them. In case studies of Carnarvon's involvement with Canada, South Africa and Australia the extent to which the establishment of independent masonic Grand Lodges in those territories between 1850 and 1890 was consistent with or ran counter to Carnarvon's imperial philosophy is explored. It is contended that while freemasonry was much more than a passing episode in Carnarvon's life, its relevance to his imperial interests has recently been overestimated, and that his careers as a politician and statesman on the one hand and as
earl freemasonry british_empire historians consider_role freemasonry british_empire point prominent player imperial stage latter assume freemasonry significantly relevant political_life moreover case earl lead english twice britain colonial secretary claim imperialist agenda merge use freemasonry promote realisation imperial vision test_claim examine great_detail career relationship_them case_study involvement canada south_africa australia extent establishment independent grand territory consistent counter imperial philosophy explore contend freemasonry much passing episode life relevance imperial interest recently career politician statesman one_hand