Difference between revisions of "John Yarker"
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His public statement presented the rite as a school of Masonic learning and moral philosophy, open to Master Masons of different religions. It also repeated stories linking modern Masonry to ancient Egypt. The statement is useful evidence for Yarker’s aims and beliefs; its ancient lineage claims require separate historical examination.<ref name="yarker" /> | His public statement presented the rite as a school of Masonic learning and moral philosophy, open to Master Masons of different religions. It also repeated stories linking modern Masonry to ancient Egypt. The statement is useful evidence for Yarker’s aims and beliefs; its ancient lineage claims require separate historical examination.<ref name="yarker" /> | ||
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| + | == Genealogy and travel writing == | ||
| + | Yarker also published family history. His ''Genealogy of the Surname Yarker'' (1882) covered the Yarkers, Leyburns and allied families in several northern English counties, with branches elsewhere in Britain and overseas. In 1898 he compiled a genealogy of the Mark or Marke family of Cumberland, incorporating an older family roll, biographical extracts and further genealogical notes. Both works are recorded in the University of Pennsylvania's ''Online Books Page''.<ref>University of Pennsylvania Libraries, [https://onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/webbin/who/Yarker%2C%20John%2C%201833- John Yarker], ''The Online Books Page'', extended-shelf bibliographic entries for the 1882 and 1898 genealogies.</ref> | ||
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| + | His ''Journey to the East'' (1886) described a three-month stay in Constantinople and the journeys there and back. Barry Loft's edition brings this travel account together with later material concerning Yarker's support for Armenians, including a draft appeal to Andrew Carnegie on behalf of an Armenian school and orphanage. Loft, a trustee of the Yarker Library, has also compiled bibliographies of Yarker's books, pamphlets and periodical contributions.<ref>Barry Loft, [https://allaboutjohnyarker.com/ All About John Yarker], descriptions of ''Journey to the East'' and the bibliographical resources.</ref> | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
Latest revision as of 15:08, 2 October 2026
John Yarker (17 April 1833 – 20 March 1913) was an English Masonic writer and organiser. He is associated particularly with the British Antient and Primitive Rite and with the international history of Memphis-Misraïm.[1]
Masonic career
Yarker was initiated in the Lodge of Integrity, Manchester, in 1854. He joined Fidelity Lodge at Dukinfield in 1855 and became its Master in 1857. His later interests extended across several systems of additional degrees.[1]
In 1872 he became Grand Master General of a British and Irish Sovereign Sanctuary operating under an American charter. His own published statement describes the body’s organisation and its links with other rites. It also records a benevolent fund established in 1885 and an Order of Merit recognising lifesaving, literary work and other service.[2]
Ellic Howe distinguishes this organisation from earlier Memphis lodges in Britain: Yarker’s body did not confer the Craft degrees and therefore did not operate as a competing Craft Grand Lodge. Holding one of its offices was nevertheless different from receiving recognition for the rite from the United Grand Lodge of England.[3]
Writing and historical interpretation
Yarker published The Kneph, the rite’s journal, from 1881 to 1900. His books included The Arcane Schools (1909), and he contributed 26 short papers to the transactions of Quatuor Coronati Lodge.[1]
His public statement presented the rite as a school of Masonic learning and moral philosophy, open to Master Masons of different religions. It also repeated stories linking modern Masonry to ancient Egypt. The statement is useful evidence for Yarker’s aims and beliefs; its ancient lineage claims require separate historical examination.[2]
Genealogy and travel writing
Yarker also published family history. His Genealogy of the Surname Yarker (1882) covered the Yarkers, Leyburns and allied families in several northern English counties, with branches elsewhere in Britain and overseas. In 1898 he compiled a genealogy of the Mark or Marke family of Cumberland, incorporating an older family roll, biographical extracts and further genealogical notes. Both works are recorded in the University of Pennsylvania's Online Books Page.[4]
His Journey to the East (1886) described a three-month stay in Constantinople and the journeys there and back. Barry Loft's edition brings this travel account together with later material concerning Yarker's support for Armenians, including a draft appeal to Andrew Carnegie on behalf of an Armenian school and orphanage. Loft, a trustee of the Yarker Library, has also compiled bibliographies of Yarker's books, pamphlets and periodical contributions.[5]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon, “John Yarker”, biographical record, citing John M. Hamill, Ars Quatuor Coronatorum 109 (1996), pp. 191–214.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 John Yarker, “Antient & Primitive Rite of Masonry”, The Kneph, vol. VIII, no. 1, September 1888; historical statement reproduced by the Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon.
- ↑ Ellic Howe, “Fringe Masonry in England, 1870–85”, paper dated 14 September 1972, Ars Quatuor Coronatorum; transcription hosted by the Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon.
- ↑ University of Pennsylvania Libraries, John Yarker, The Online Books Page, extended-shelf bibliographic entries for the 1882 and 1898 genealogies.
- ↑ Barry Loft, All About John Yarker, descriptions of Journey to the East and the bibliographical resources.
Memphis-Misraïm: Overview · Misraïm · Memphis · History · Degrees and organisation · Egyptian symbolism · Organisations and recognition · Regalia and imagery · Sources and further reading
People: Bédarride brothers · Marconis de Nègre · John Yarker · Giuseppe Garibaldi · Papus · Jean Bricaud · Constant Chevillon · Robert Ambelain
Background: Hermeticism · Martinism · Masonic glossary · Comparison with related traditions