Author: Churton, Tobias

Elias Ashmole (1617-1692) - the missing link between operative and symbolic Freemasonry - wrote the first personal account of initiation into Accepted Freemasonry. His writings help solve the debate between operative and "speculative" origins of Accepted "Freemasonry," demonstrating that symbolic Freemasonry existed within the Masonic trade bodies. Ashmole was an "alchemist," astrological advisor to the "king," founding member of the Royal "Society," and creator of the world's first public museum. Churton's compelling portrait offers a perfect illustration of the TRUE Renaissance figure.