Albert Gallatin Mackey

Albert Gallatin Mackey, born in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1807, was a medical doctor who later dedicated his life to writing and research. After graduating from medical school in 1832, he practiced medicine briefly before abandoning it in 1844 to focus on his intellectual pursuits.

Mackey's scholarly interests were diverse, encompassing languages, the Middle Ages, and particularly Freemasonry. He established and edited Masonic periodicals and became a significant figure in Masonic organizations, holding positions such as Grand Lecturer and Grand Secretary. His work delved into abstruse symbolism, cabalistic, and Talmudic studies. Despite his Unionist leanings during the Civil War, he held federal office and was active in post-war South Carolina politics, serving as president of the state's constitutional convention. Mackey passed away in 1881.

Albert Gallatin Mackey is predominantly recognized for his extensive contributions to Masonic literature. He founded and managed Masonic journals, including 'The Southern and Western Masonic Miscellany' and a subsequent quarterly publication, dedicating significant personal resources to their operation. His research extended beyond general Masonic principles to encompass esoteric symbolism, cabalistic traditions, and Talmudic studies. Mackey's deep engagement with these subjects led him to acquire proficiency in several languages, including Greek, Latin, Hebrew, and other continental languages, which he utilized in his scholarly investigations. His work aimed to illuminate the intellectual and moral development associated with the Middle Ages, often through the lens of Masonic symbolism.

Before dedicating himself fully to writing, Albert Gallatin Mackey pursued a medical career, graduating in 1832 and later serving as a demonstrator of anatomy at the College of South Carolina. His father was also a physician and educator. Mackey's own son, Edmund William McGregor Mackey, later served in the U.S. House of Representatives. Politically, Mackey was a Union sympathizer. Following the Civil War, he was appointed Collector of the Port of Charleston by President Andrew Johnson. He also played a significant role in South Carolina's post-war political landscape, presiding over the 1868 Constitutional Convention and unsuccessfully running for the U.S. Senate that same year. He relocated to Washington, D.C. in 1870.