William Robert Woodman
William Robert Woodman (1828–1891), also named William George Robert Woodman in SRIA records, was an English physician, Freemason and Rosicrucian. He was the second Supreme Magus of the SRIA and one of the three founders of The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn.[1]
Woodman qualified in medicine in 1851, practised at Stoke Newington and worked as a police surgeon. He also pursued horticulture. He entered St George's Lodge in Exeter in 1852 and became Grand Sword Bearer in the United Grand Lodge of England in 1875.[1]
He joined the London Rosicrucian society in 1867 and undertook secretarial work during its early development. He succeeded Robert Wentworth Little as Supreme Magus in 1878 and held that office until 1891. His period of leadership saw colleges established beyond London and connections developed overseas.[1][2]
In 1888 he founded the Golden Dawn with William Wynn Westcott and Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers. His death in 1891 limited his involvement in its later development. Westcott succeeded him as Supreme Magus of the SRIA.[1][2]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 SRIA Province of Greater London, ‘William George Robert Woodman’, biographical account.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia, ‘History of the Rosicrucian Society of England 1867’, including the list of Supreme Magi.
| Rosicrucian history and related societies | |
|---|---|
| Overview | Rosicrucians · Christian Rosencreutz · SRIA · Golden Dawn |
| Early texts | Fama · Confessio · Chymical Wedding |
| People | William Wynn Westcott · Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers · William Robert Woodman · Arthur Edward Waite · Pamela Colman Smith |
| Related reading | Comparing the traditions · All articles in this section |