Academy

Academy. A school or association of scholars, philosophers, or scientists. In continental European Masonry during the 18th century, several experimental societies or degrees styled themselves as "Academies," such as the Academy of True Masons or the Academy of Ancients. These groups often blended classical architecture studies with alchemy, hermeticism, and speculative philosophy.

Macoy Collector's Note: Tracking the rise of early European "Academies" reveals how closely interwoven early speculative lodges were with the scientific and philosophical awakenings of the Enlightenment.