Marc Zaharovich Chagall, 7 July 1887 – 28 March 1985

Russian-French artist

Initiated in 1912

Axel Cäsar Springer, May 2, 1912 – September 22, 1985

German publisher and journalist

Initiated into lodge “Die Brückenbauer” (“The Bridge Builders”) in 1958

George Shillibeer, August 11, 1797 – August 21, 1866

English coachbuilder, who introduced the omnibus to London’s streets

Initiated into “Etonian Lodge”, Windsor on February 25, 1827

Jean Sibelius, 8 December 1865 – 20 September 1957

Finnish composer

His compositions include ritual music for the three Craft degrees.

Initiated into “Suami Lodge No. 1”, Helsinki on August 18, 1922

He served for several years as Grand Organist of the Grand Lodge of Finland.

Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, 30 November 1874 – 24 January 1965

Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 10 May 1940 – 26 July 1945 & 26 October 1951 – 7 April 1955

In 1953 he became the first British prime minister to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature.

Initiated into “Studholme Lodge”, London on May 24, 1901

William Hogarth, 10 November 1697 – 26 October 1764

English painter and pictorial satirist

Date of his initiation is unknown, but he is listed as a member of a lodge at the Hand and Apple Tree public house in Holborn in 1725.

Hogarth was appointed Grand Steward of the United Grand Lodge of England for the year 1735, and is the designer of the Grand Lodge’s Grand Steward’s Jewel.

Lewis “Lew” Wallace, April 10, 1827 – February 15, 1905

American lawyer, Union general in the American Civil War, statesman and author. He is best remembered for writing the novel Ben Hur: A Tale of the Christ.

Initiated into “Fountain Lodge No. 60”, Covington, Indiana on December 15, 1850

Sir Walter Scott, 1st Baronet, 15 August 1771 – 21 September 1832

Scottish novelist, poet and playwright, who helped popularize the genre of historical novels. Famous works include the books Ivanhoe and Rob Roy.

Initiated, passed and raised in lodge “Saint David, No. 36”, Edinburgh on March 2, 1801.

Franz Joseph Haydn, 31 March 1732 – 31 May 1809

Austrian composer

Initiated into lodge “Zur Wahren Eintracht” (“True Harmony”), Vienna on February 11, 1785

Trivia:

Haydn’s initiation was originally scheduled for January 28th. His friend and colleague Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart had been present at that date to witness the ceremony. Unfortunately he could not make it to the new date as he had to give a concert that same night.

Lionel Hampton, April 20, 1908 – August 31, 2002

American Jazz musician, especially known for being among the first vibraphone Jazz players.

Unfortunately I was not able to find out the date of his initiation, but apparently he was a member of the Prince Hall “Boyer Lodge No. 1”, New York