Prince Hall (c.1735 – December 7, 1807), was an African American noted as a tireless abolitionist, for his leadership in the free black community in Boston, and as the founder of Prince Hall Masonry.
Hall tried to gain New England’s enslaved and free blacks a place in Freemasonry, education and the military, which were some of the most crucial spheres of society in his time. Hall is considered the founder of “Black Freemasonry” in the United States, known today as Prince Hall Freemasonry. Hall formed the African Grand Lodge of North America. Prince Hall was unanimously elected its Grand Master and served until his death in 1807. He also lobbied tirelessly for education rights for black children and a back-to-Africa movement. Many historians regard Prince Hall as one of the more prominent African-American leaders throughout the early period of the United States.
Read more about Prince Hall: Early Life and Manumission, Leadership, Involvement in American Revolutionary War, A Freemason, Attempted Reforms and Legislation, Copp's Hill Burying Ground
Famous quotes containing the words prince and/or hall:
“When Prince William [later King William IV] was at Cork in 1787, an old officer ... dined with him, and happened to say he had been forty years in the service. The Prince with a sneer asked what he had learnt in those forty years. The old gentleman justly offended, said, “Sir, I have learnt, when I am no longer fit to fight, to make as good a retreat as I can” —and walked out of the room.”
—Horace Walpole (1717–1797)
“Chipmunks jump, and
Greensnakes slither.
Rather burst than
Not be with her.”
—Donald Hall (b. 1928)