Boyden, William L.

For forty-six years Librarian of the Supreme Council A. & A. S. R., Southern Jurisdiction at Washington, D. C., and the originator of the Boyden Masonic library catalog system, an adaptation of the Dewey decimal system. He was the author of many articles and other writings, especially, those dealing with early Colonial Freemasonry. His most noted work was Masonic Presidents, Vice-Presidents, and Signers, the last word in that title meaning signers of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States. He was born in Washington, D. C., Jan. 6, 1866. He was raised in Osiris Lodge No. 26, April 15, 1891 and served as its Master in 1897. He was exalted in Columbia Chapter R. A. M., June 14, 1893 and knighted in Columbia Commandery K. T., Dec. 1, 1893. He received the 32nd Degree of the Scottish Rite in Albert Pike, Consistory, Aug. 21, 1897, was elected Knight Commander of the Court of Honor, Oct. 19, 1899, and coroneted 33rd Degree, Oct. 25, 1901. He was a charter member of Albert Pike Lodge No. 36 in 1920 and served as its Secretary from 1921. At the time of his death, he was a member of Mt. Horeb Royal Arch Chapter No. 7, Oriental Commandery No. 5, Almas Temple of the Shrine, and Naomi Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, in addition to the other bodies named. He died at Washington, D. C., Dec. 1, 1939.