Before ever setting foot in a Masonic lodge, Manly P. Hall had already established himself as one of the most prolific voices in esoteric philosophy. When he finally became a Freemason in his fifties, it wasn’t the beginning of a new path—it was the formal recognition of a journey he had long been walking.
Best known for his monumental 1928 work, The Secret Teachings of All Ages, Brother Hall remains one of the most enigmatic figures of 20th-century esoteric thought. Revered by both scholars and spiritual seekers, his life’s work explored ancient philosophy, symbolism, and the pursuit of universal wisdom—core themes that resonate deeply with the principles of Freemasonry.
His story reminds us that the values of Freemasonry can shape a man’s life long before he ever dons an apron or enters a lodge.
Who Was Manly P. Hall?
Born in 1901 in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, Hall moved to California as a child following the early death of his father. Raised by his maternal grandmother, Hall was largely self-educated and exhibited an early fascination with metaphysics, alchemy, astrology, and the world’s spiritual traditions. By age 21, he was delivering lectures in Los Angeles on the teachings of Plato, Pythagoras, the Hermetic philosophers, and more.
In 1928, at just 27 years old, Hall published The Secret Teachings of All Ages—a 700-page, heavily illustrated encyclopedia of ancient symbols, initiatory rites, and esoteric philosophy. Financed through a subscription campaign and released in an oversized folio edition, it was an audacious achievement that solidified Hall’s reputation as a serious scholar of the occult and comparative religion.
Manly P. Hall, one of the 20th century’s most prolific writer on mysticism, magic, and ancient philosophies.When Did Manly P. Hall Become a Freemason?
Though The Secret Teaching of All Ages discusses Freemasonry in depth, Hall was not yet a Mason when he wrote it—a fact that often surprises readers. He did not formally petition for membership until the 1950s. Hall was initiated in Jewel Lodge No. 374 in San Francisco in 1954, later receiving the degrees of the York Rite and Scottish Rite.
In 1973, in recognition of his contributions to Masonic education and philosophy, the Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite, Southern Jurisdiction conferred upon him the honorary 33°.
Although Brother Hall came to the Craft later in life, his understanding of its symbolism and moral aims had long reflected its spirit. As Dr. David Harrison notes, Brother Hall’s Masonic initiation was not a turning point but a confirmation—an alignment of formal membership with a lifetime of study.
What Did Manly P. Hall Write About Freemasonry?
Brother Hall viewed Freemasonry not merely as a fraternal order, but as a custodian of ancient wisdom—a symbolic system rooted in the teachings and traditions of antiquity. Long before he joined the Craft, his writings explored Masonic themes with remarkable depth and clarity. In his 1937 essay, Rosicrucian and Masonic Origins, Hall described Freemasonry as
“a fraternity within a fraternity—an outer organization concealing an inner brotherhood of the elect.”
Though this quote is often misunderstood or misused, his aim is not to promote conspiracy but to highlight the inner work—the moral and spiritual refinement—that Freemasonry invites.
In his view, the true initiate sought knowledge not for power but for service, who saw symbols not as secrets to be hoarded, but as guides to personal transformation. Brother Hall believes the allegories and emblems of the Craft pointed toward the universal human journey of self-discovery, virtue, and the pursuit of light.
A look inside the original print production of The Secret Teaching of All Ages by Freemason Manly P. Hall, auctioned by O’Gallerie in 2024.Brother Hall’s writings frequently returned to Masonic symbols and rituals as vehicles for inner transformation. In works such as Masonic Orders of Fraternity, Freemasonry of the Ancient Egyptians, and The Lost Keys of Freemasonry, he interprets the Craft as a moral and philosophical system rooted in self-knowledge and the betterment of humanity.
In The Lost Keys of Freemasonry, first published in 1923—decades before he formally joined the fraternity—Hall wrote:
“The true Mason is not creed-bound. He realizes with the divine illumination of his lodge that as a Mason, his religion must be universal.”
That Hall wrote so passionately about Freemasonry before becoming a member speaks to the intellectual and spiritual alignment he felt with Freemasonry’s teachings. His interpretations aren’t official doctrine but have influenced how many modern Masons—especially those with an interest in symbolism and esotericism—view the deeper meaning behind the Craft’s traditions.
Manly P. Hall’s Legacy in Freemasonry and Philosophy
In 1934, Illustrious Brother Hall founded the Philosophical Research Society (PRS), a nonprofit educational center in Los Angeles dedicated to cross-cultural studies in religion, mythology, and philosophy. The PRS remains active today, preserving his extensive body of lectures, essays, and rare book collections.
A photograph of Manly P. Hall in the 1930sBrother Hall’s influence stretches far beyond Freemasonry. His writings have inspired artists, scholars, and spiritual seekers worldwide. Yet he remains a somewhat misunderstood figure, frequently quoted but often taken out of context. As Greg Stewart notes, Hall’s works call for responsibility, moral clarity, and inner discipline—qualities that reflect the very essence of Freemasonry.
Hall's philosophical work extended far beyond his own pages. According to the PRS:
- He delivered nearly 7,000 lectures, many lasting two hours, extemporaneously and without notes
- As the founder and first president of the PRS, he cultivated a world-class library of over 30,000 rare volumes and artifacts, reflecting his lifelong dedication to comparative wisdom
In addition to his published works and lectures, Hall’s private collection, comprising more than 240 manuscripts and 200 rare books on alchemy, Hermeticism, and Freemasonry, is preserved at the Getty Research Institute. This archive, drawn largely from the 16th and 17th centuries, reflects his lifelong effort to collect, interpret, and protect the symbolic traditions at the heart of esoteric and Masonic philosophy.
In 1990, Illustrious Brother Hall passed away at the age of 89, leaving behind a legacy of intellectual curiosity and ethical idealism.
Why Manly P. Hall Still Matters to Freemasons Today
Illustrious Brother Manly P. Hall’s life reminds us that Freemasonry is not only about ritual or rank, it’s about the pursuit of wisdom, the cultivation of character, and service to humanity. Whether in the lodge room or the lecture hall, he walked the path of a traveling man—one who sought truth not in isolation, but in fellowship with others dedicated to the betterment of self and society.
“A Mason is not made by ritual but by the life he leads.” — Manly P. Hall