Grand Master (Masonic)

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In Freemasonry the Grand Master is the supreme ruler of the Craft within a given jurisdiction. He presides over his Grand Lodge and has certain rights in each private lodge (constituent lodge) within his jurisdiction.

Just as the Worshipful Master of each private lodge annually appoints lodge officers to assist him, so the Grand Master of each Grand Lodge annually appoints grand lodge officers to assist him in his work.

There are two distinct traditions in connection with the office of Grand Master, and although the following rule has exceptions, it may be said that there is basically a 'European' practice and a 'North American' practice. Generally speaking the European practice is for the same Grand Master to be re-elected for several consecutive years, maybe even several decades, whilst the North American practice is for a different senior mason to be elected as Grand Master each year.

The first unambiguously recorded Grand Master was Anthony Sayer, elected as the first Grand Master of England in 1717, when four ancient London lodges met together to form a Grand Lodge. However, there are earlier references to Grand Masters (for example, the architect Christopher Wren), but there is no unambiguous proof that the term is here used in its current sense.

The current Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England (the oldest Grand lodge in the world) is Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, who has served in that office since 1967. A majority of English Grand Masters have been members of the nobility or of the royal family.