Albert Pike Figurine

Description

Albert Pike remains a giant in Masonic history and literature, although the 100th anniversary of his death was commemorated over five years ago. Born in Boston in 1809, he was a man of many talents and many careers. He completed his junior years at Harvard, but could not afford his senior year tuition, as he was by then supporting himself through teaching and writing. In his early twenties he headed west to hunt and trap, and wrote about his adventures in “Prose Sketches and Poems Written in the Western Country,” published in 1834. He went on to become a newspaper editor, lawyer, and captain of a cavalry troop in the Mexican War. Later he was appointed brigadier-general of the department of Indian Territory. Pike had become a Mason in 1850, and he increasingly devoted himself to Freemasonry. In 1872 he completed his masterpiece, “Morals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry.” This extensive work remains one of the most complete authorities on Freemasonry, and is still today read by all Masons.

Albert Pike held the post of Grand Commander of the Supreme Grand Council, Southern Jurisdiction of the United States for 32 years, and was known and honored by Masons throughout the world. He died at age 82, at the house of the Scottish Rite Temple in Washington, D.C. I have tried to portray Pike’s commanding physical presence, as well as the vitality and intensity of this brilliant man. I have placed the 33rd degree Scottish Rite collar, worn for formal Masonic ceremonies, around his neck. My statue was not complete until I placed a copy of Pike’s greatest work in his hand.

— Tom Clark