who was elected the first grand master in 1717

Anthony Sayer was elected the first Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of England on St. John the Baptist's Day, 24 June 1717 12. The election took place at a joint assembly of four London lodges meeting at the Goose and Gridiron Tavern in St. Paul's Churchyard 12.

Elected by a majority of hands as the oldest Master present, Sayer belonged to the lodge that met at the Apple-Tree Tavern 12. At the same meeting, Capt. Joseph Elliot and Jacob Lamball were chosen to serve as his Grand Wardens 12.

Anthony Sayer was recorded as a "Gentleman" at his election in 1717, which designates him as a speculative Freemason rather than an operative stonemason 2. A paper read before Quatuor Coronati Lodge records him in historical research transactions as a speculative Mason on this basis.

While the Apple-Tree Tavern Lodge to which Sayer belonged had a membership that was at least as much operative as speculative 2, his personal designation as a "Gentleman" set him apart from operative craftsmen listed alongside him, such as Grand Warden Jacob Lamball, who was explicitly recorded as a carpenter 12.

George Payne succeeded Anthony Sayer as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of England in 1718 1. A paper read before Quatuor Coronati Lodge confirms Payne's appointment in 1718 following Sayer's term as the first Grand Master.

Payne served his first term until 1719, when J. T. Desaguliers was elected, before returning to serve a second term as Grand Master in 1720 1. During his leadership in the Craft, Payne compiled a set of general regulations in 1721, drawn from ancient records and immemorial usages 3.