Grand Wizard
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- For the professional wrestling manager known as "The Grand Wizard", see Ernie Roth
Grand Wizard was the title used by the overall leader of earliest form of the Ku Klux Klan, during Reconstruction in the South. Nathan Bedford Forrest held the title until he dissolved the Klan, but had very little real power, since most Klan "dens" (local groups) were effectively autonomous, due to the Klan's semi-clandestine nature.
The Knights of the Ku Klux Klan of the twentieth century used a different system of titles for their officers, and the leaders of twentieth-century Klan factions have more commonly used the title of Imperial Wizard throughout the United States. In the Klan's second incarnation the Grand Wizard title applied to the organization's main officer at a state or regional level. "Grand Dragon" was a common variation upon this title signifying the same role.
Grand Wizard is the rank attained by the notorious white nationalist politician David Duke prior to leaving a branch of the organization.
