William A. Brodie

William A. Brodie (1841–1917) was a Scots-American businessman and Freemason. He was Grand Master of Masons in the state of New York in 1884^[1] and in that capacity laid the foundation stone of the Statue of Liberty on August 5, 1884.^[2][3]

William A. Brodie
Grand Master of Masons of New York
In office 1884–1884
Preceded by	J. Edward Simmons
Succeeded by	Frank R. Lawrence
Personal details
Born	1841 Kilbarchan, Scotland
Died	1917

Biography

Brodie was born in village of Kilbarchan, Scotland on August 9, 1841.^[4] When he was two years old his parents emigrated to America to begin a new life. They settled in the State of New York. William became a successful businessman.^[5] He died on May 9, 1917 .^[4]

Activities

Brodie was the county treasurer of Livingston County for fifteen years.^[6] Brodie was additionally the President of the Geneseo Gas Company and of the Geneseo Electric Company.^[6] He was an elder in the Presbyterian Church of Geneseo from 1868 until his death in 1917.^[6]

Freemasonry and the Statue of Liberty

Brodie was a dedicated Mason:^[6]

Raised November 9, 1863, Genesee Lodge No. 214, (Genesee, New York)

Junior Warden, 1867, Genesee Lodge No 214

Senior Warden, 1868, Genesee Lodge N0 214

Master, 1869-1871, 1875-1877, 1880, Genesee Lodge No 214^[1]

Knights Templar, 1873, Monroe Commandery No. 12

Scottish Rite 33 degree, Rochester Consistory

Sovereign Grand Inspector General; September 25, 1885

Royal Arch, 1867

Affiliated to Lodge St. Barchan No. 156, Grand Lodge of Scotland on July 20, 1888.

During his term as Grand Master of New York in 1884 he laid the foundation stone of the Statue of Liberty. When asked why the Freemasons would be asked to place the foundation stone he replied "No other organization has done more to promote liberty and to liberate men from the chains of ignorance and tyranny than Freemasonry."^[7]

State University of New York

William Brodie was also influential in having the Geneseo College established in Geneseo, Livingston County, New York, which is now known as SUNY Geneseo. The Brodie Fine Arts building, which was named after William Brodie was constructed on the campus in 1967.^[4]

Notes

1. Freemasons. Grand Lodge of the State of New York 1910, p. 162.
2. Moreno 2004, p. 46.
3. Freemasons. Grand Lodge of the State of New York 1910, p. 163.
4. "William A. Brodie (1841-1917)". Find A Grave. 2011-09-07. Retrieved 2012-08-25.
5. Donaldson, p. 163.
6. "x - 1884; William A. Brodie; Most Worshipful Past Grand Master :: NY - Gallery of Grand Masters". Grand Lodge of New York. Retrieved 2012-08-25.
7. Berenson 2012, p. 91.

References

• Berenson, Edward (2012). The Statue of Liberty: A Transatlantic Story. Hartford, CT: Yale University Press. ISBN 978-0300149500. Retrieved August 1, 2012.
• Donaldson, J.S. "Famous Scottish Freemasons". Lodge Stirling Royal Arch No.76 Lectures Page. Retrieved August 1, 2012.
• Freemasons. Grand Lodge of the State of New York (1910). Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York. New York, New York: J.J. Little & Ives Company. Retrieved August 1, 2012.
• Moreno, Barry (2004). The Statue of Liberty. Charleston SC, Chicago IL, Portsmouth NH, and San Francisco CA: Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 9781417975785. Retrieved August 1, 2012.