Sarah M Pike

Albert Pike (1809–1891) was a prolific American author, poet, lawyer, and Confederate general. Born in Massachusetts, he pursued a diverse career that included teaching, journalism, and law, eventually settling in Arkansas. He was a prominent figure in Freemasonry, serving as Sovereign Grand Commander of the Scottish Rite, Southern Jurisdiction, for over three decades. Pike also served as a general in the Confederate Army during the Civil War, commanding in the Indian Territory and negotiating treaties with Native American tribes.

Pike's literary output was extensive, encompassing poetry, legal guides, and philosophical works. His legal career saw him represent Native American tribes in land claims and advocate for Southern interests. In Freemasonry, he significantly shaped the rituals and teachings of the Scottish Rite, with his book 'Morals and Dogma' being a cornerstone text. Despite his varied accomplishments, many of his poetic works are now largely unremembered, though his influence within Masonic circles remains.

Born in Boston in 1809, Albert Pike grew up in Massachusetts and received his early education there. Though he passed entrance exams for Harvard, financial constraints prevented his attendance, leading him to pursue a rigorous program of self-education. He worked as a teacher before embarking on extensive travels westward, experiencing life in Tennessee, Missouri, and eventually New Mexico, where he participated in hunting and trading expeditions. These journeys, often arduous and involving long periods on foot, shaped his early experiences before he settled in Arkansas.

Arriving in Arkansas in 1833, Pike established himself as a teacher and journalist, writing under the pseudonym 'Casca' for the Little Rock Arkansas Advocate, which he later purchased. He studied law independently and was admitted to the bar, becoming a respected lawyer who practiced before the U.S. Supreme Court. Pike also became involved in politics, aligning with the Whig Party and later the Know Nothing Party. He championed the construction of a transcontinental railroad and advocated for Southern states' rights, expressing views that supported secession if the South were relegated to an inferior status.

Pike became deeply involved in Freemasonry, rising to become the Sovereign Grand Commander of the Scottish Rite, Southern Jurisdiction, from 1859 until his death. He dedicated considerable effort to developing and codifying the rituals and teachings of the order. His seminal work, 'Morals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry' (1871), became a foundational text for the Scottish Rite, influencing generations of Masons. He also researched ancient religious traditions, as evidenced by his work on the Rig-Veda. Pike is still regarded as a highly significant figure within the Scottish Rite.

During the American Civil War, Pike served as a brigadier general in the Confederate Army, primarily commanding in the Indian Territory. He played a key role in negotiating treaties with various Native American nations, including the Cherokee, promising them a future state in exchange for their support. His military career was marked by conflict with superiors and controversy, particularly concerning allegations of scalping by his Native American troops, though he maintained that such actions were isolated incidents. He eventually resigned his commission due to disagreements over troop deployment.