Nancy Stearns Theiss Releases New Book on Freemason's Life
By: Christina Mancuso Aug. 18, 2015
Author Nancy Stearns Theiss grew up a stone's throw away from the home of Rob Morris, an influential member of the Freemasons and founder of the Order of the Eastern Star. She details his life in a new book released by Dog Ear Publishing. Morris, a prolific writer, created poetry for special events such as funerals, dedications and Masonic gatherings across the United States and in Canada, earning him the title of poet laureate for Freemasonry in the 19th century.
"A Place in the Lodge: Dr. Rob Morris, Freemasonry and the Order of the Eastern Star" is based on more than 200 letters Morris and his family members composed while Morris was traveling. His family was numerous - he and his wife, Charlotte, had nine children, seven of whom made it to adulthood. From the beginning of his initiation March 5, 1846, in Mississippi, Morris worked to spread the message of the Masons, who considered education as something for the country's rising middle class, not just the wealthy. Morris worked as a teacher, traveling salesman and, eventually, Masonic lecturer. He founded the Order of the Eastern Star, a fraternity open to both men and women that was one of the first organizations to give women a voice in local and national issues. (Today that organization has more than 430,0000 members belonging to 4,600 chapters all over the world.) Morris' letters are a snapshot of the 19th century, touching on issues about education, pioneer living, the women's movement and the growing divide between the North and the South. This intriguing book shines a light on a pivotal historic figure whose legacy has remained. Masonic lodges still revere his most famous poem, "The Level and the Square."Nancy Stearns Theiss
Dog Ear Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-4575-3917-6 164 pages $19.99 US
Dog Ear Publishing offers completely customized self-publishing services for independent authors. We provide cost-effective, fast, and highly profitable services to publish and distribute independently published books. Our book publishing and distribution services reach worldwide. Dog Ear authors retain all rights and complete creative control throughout the entire self-publishing process. Dog Ear Publishing reviews services and other book marketing services are available to connect great content with interested readers. Self-publishing services are available globally at www.dogearpublishing.net and from our offices in Indianapolis. Dog Ear Publishing - self-publishing that actually makes sense.
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