Interview with Authour Bro Todd Creason

Brethren,

Today I would like to introduce you to the Authour of Famous American Freemasons Volume I & Volume II.  Brother Todd Creason and I have been in contact for approximately one year and over that time have fostered a wonderful relationship.  Todd has been extremely kind as to provide our readership with interesting articles of historical interest as well as being a open and friendly conduit for helping other Brethren with their research projects.  So without anymore of my banter, it is with great pleasure I introduce you to Bro Todd Creason.

Thanks for doing this e-interview for MasonicTravels.com and introducing yourself to our readership.  Now, I am familiar with your Masonic affiliations, but would you care to share them with us here?   

I haven’t been a Mason very long.  I joined Ogden Lodge No. 754, in Ogden, Illinois in 2005, and I’m currently the Senior Warden.  I became a 32º Mason in Spring 2006 at the Scottish Rite Valley of Danville, Illinois (NJ), and most recently, in Spring of 2008, I joined the York Rite.  I’m a member of the Champaign Chapter No. 50 Royal Arch Masons, and a member of the Knights Templar Urbana Commandery No. 16—both in Illinois.  I enjoy membership in several Masonic research organizations as well—the Illinois Lodge of Research, the Philalethes Society, and the Scottish Rite Research Society.

People join Freemasonry for a variety of reasons, what made you knock upon the door?  

I’d have to admit it was curiosity.  I’ve been running across the occasional reference to Freemasonry in my studies of American history for years.  But I’d have to admit, I became fascinated with it due to books like Dan Brown’s “The Da Vinci Code” and movies like “National Treasure.”  So I began researching Freemasonry. Shortly after, I ran into a friend of mine who I knew was a Past Master of Ogden.  I had no idea when I filled out that petition that I was making such an important decision, but without question, it was one of the best decisions I’ve made.

How did you first become interested in researching famous Freemasons and what made you decide to write two books on the subject? 

Shortly after I joined the Scottish Rite Valley of Danville, I was invited to take part in a historic degree based on actual events that took place during the American Civil War.  It was an event I knew very well, and had read many accounts of over the years.  But, what I didn’t know was that just about every major player on both sides of that conflict was a Freemason.  It made me wonder how Freemasons had impacted history—not the Fraternity, but the individual men.  What I found was fascinating, and I realized almost immediately it would make a terrific book.  I was right, the first book found an audience, and so I wrote a follow-up.

With the recent popularity of Dan Brown’s latest book the Lost Symbol, many of our non-Mason readers might be interested in knowing if you have ever drank blood from a skull in your travels?  If you did, would you tell me? 

You know, I keep waiting to get summoned into that secret meeting where I’ll be told the location of the Templar treasure, learn that Elvis is still alive, and be given the key to Area 51.  But it hasn’t happened yet.  In reality, however, the secrets really aren’t that secret—I read recently the secrets were published about two seconds after the Grand Lodge of England was formed in 1717.  But people always want to believe there is more.  Dan Brown tapped into that idea so many believe—that there is way more hidden behind the veil of “secret societies.”  Brown has made a great living exposing the “secrets” of mysterious groups like Opus Dei, the Illuminati, and most recently, Freemasonry.  But remember, Dan Brown writes fiction.

Did you enjoy the Lost Symbol?

I really did.  I’ve read all his books, and I’ve really been looking forward to this one—he’s a great storyteller.  Dan Brown wove just enough about Freemasonry that is absolutely true to make the fictional aspects of his story believable. I think most people know the difference between fiction and non-fiction, but there are always those that get the two confused.  I’m sure there will be those that believe everything they read in the book.

What do you think the impact on the Fraternity will be as a result of it? 

I think Freemasonry is going to get a lot of attention, and I hope this attention makes people want to learn more about Famous American Freemasons!  There are a couple good books I could recommend!  But seriously, I hope the attention on Freemasonry makes people want to learn more about the fraternity.  I’d like to think there will be those out there that want to learn more and knock on the door as a result.

Freemasonry, as you know from your research, has had some amazing members in its 300 years or so, what do you feel drew these fine men in to the Craft? 

That’s a good question, and one I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about.  There isn’t one answer.  Men join for a variety of reasons, and each seems to get something unique out of it.  In my opinion, I think one thing the fraternity shares with these remarkable men is industriousness—it’s been a recurring theme in researching the lives of the famous Freemasons in my books.  These famous men were in constant motion, and I know a lot of regular non-famous Masons that are like that too.  It’s almost an unwritten rule that Freemasons need to have at least three projects going at any given time.  Freemasons are doers, and more often than not, the men that seek out the Fraternity are doers as well.  I think that industriousness, at least in part, is why there are so many famous and successful Freemasons.

Freemasonry in the past 30 years has seen steady declines and aging membership, what do you feel are the most important points that we must address to remain strong in the coming years? 

I can tell you what seems to work in the lodge I belong to, and several others in my area that are seeing growth—many for the first time in years.   New members are encouraged from day one to participate.  Those dedicated members that have kept the lodges open out of sheer determination as the membership dwindled over the years have gladly switched roles from being the leadership to being the teachers for “the next generation” of Masons.  As a result, the new members have really gotten involved, they enjoy it, and they are dedicated to learning their ritual by the book (and there is no shortage of great instructors.)  And word spreads to friends and family of these new members, and one new member becomes two, becomes four, and so on.  In my lodge, with the exception of the Secretary, Treasurer, and Tyler, every officer in our lodge, including our Master, has been a Mason less than five years.

You have accomplished a lot in your Masonic career, and the question begs to be asked, what is next for you? 

I’m going to take a break before I start a new book, and spend more time in lodge and less time in the library.  It’s funny how it’s worked out.  But the more successful the books become, the less time I have to do the things that originally inspired them.  I’m going to get back to the basics for awhile, and I’m sure the next inspiration will strike—maybe another book in the Famous American Freemasons series, or perhaps it will be something completely different.

Todd, Thanks for joining me for this interview, and I appreciate you taking the time out of your schedule.  I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next, can you give us a hint as to what that might be? 

I’ve got a collection entitled “A Freemason Said That?  Great Quotes of Famous Freemasons” coming out in November 2009—just in time for Christmas.  It includes quotes from Freemasons all over the world.  It was a fun book to put together.  And of course, I believe I promised Masonic Travels an article in the next few months.

Thanks for the interview, Ken!

Thank you Todd!


Todd Creason's Books:

• Famous American Freemasons Volume 1
• Famous American Freemasons Volume 2

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