by Andrew Novak
Research Editor

Throughout its history, GW has pursued an assortment of relationships with groups wishing to make a mark at the University. One such relationship, between GW and the Freemasons, is as old as George Washington himself. President Washington was a Mason, as was Luther Rice, the founder of Columbian College, and President James Monroe, who signed the Columbian Collegeıs charter into law in February 1821.

Freemasonry is a charitable and social organization known for its secrecy and rituals. While there is little concrete background on the organization, it is believed that the association was originally composed of masons, or builders in stone.

Originating more than 500 years ago in Western Europe, freemasonry occasionally aroused opposition within the Roman Catholic Church and labor and socialist movements during its early years. Like any social group, its ideals have evolved with the times, but modern Masonry, which is neither anti-Catholic nor xenophobic, still has a relationship with GW.

Some of the Universityıs greatest benefactors have been Masons. The names of Charles Tompkins, William Corcoran, Abram Lisner and Jacob Burns are immortalized on University buildings, and three of the last four GW presidents have been Masons.

Even University buildings themselves, not just their names, are connected to the Masons. From 1910 to 1921, the GW Law School was housed on the top two stories of the Masonic Temple in downtown D.C. The building, located at 13th Street and New York Avenue, is currently the site of the National Museum of Women in the Arts. Cloyd Heck Marvinıs term as University president marked the beginning of a particularly significant relationship between GW and the Freemasons. Marvinıs connection to the Masons were already well-established by the time he came to Washington. During his impeachment hearings at the University of Arizona, where Marvin was president before he came to GW, his staunchest defenders were Masons. After he resigned from Arizona, his Mason supporters persuaded the Grand Commander of the Supreme Council, John H. Cowles, that the whole impeachment controversy was politically motivated, and that Marvin was a sincere and dependable Mason.

The School of Foreign Service had recently opened at Georgetown University, and Cowles was deeply concerned about U.S. diplomats being trained at a Catholic institution. At the time, the Freemasons held strong anti-Catholic and xenophobic sentiments. The GW Masonic Club handbook warned that the "Roman Catholic Church, with impressive zeal, is endeavoring to increase the facilities for higher education in the District of Columbia."

In order to counter the Jesuit education taught at Georgetown, Cowles and the Freemasons gave $1 million to GW to establish the School of Government. At the time, it was one of the largest donations ever given to any U.S. university. The contribution, however, had a special condition: the money must be returned should GW ever become religiously sectarian. To this day, GW remains nonsectarian.

From 1927 to the mid-1980s, the Grand Commander of the Scottish Rite of Freemasons was been a sitting member of the Board of Trustees. Cowles was the first to hold the position. The Freemasons have also sponsored grants to GW students including the Scottish Rite Fellowships and the Wolcott Fellowships.

In 1938, the Masons dedicated the School of Government to President George Washington. Since then, other Masonic dedications have taken place at GW. In the past year there was the dedication ceremony for the Elliott School of International affairs building at 1957 E Street, and for Townhouse Row in 23rd Street.