What is the history of Masonic Research in the Quatuor Coronati Lodge?
The Quatuor Coronati Lodge No. 2076, founded in 1886, is recognized as one of the foremost Masonic research lodges in London. The lodge was established by nine Masons, including notable figures such as General Sir Charles Warren and Robert Freke Gould, who were dissatisfied with the historical narratives surrounding Freemasonry. They sought to adopt an evidence-based approach to Masonic history, aiming to replace the imaginative writings of earlier authors with rigorous research. This initiative marked the beginning of what is now referred to as the ‘authentic school’ of Masonic research. The lodge has since held quarterly meetings where papers are presented and discussed, and it publishes yearly transactions titled Ars Quatuor Coronatorum, contributing significantly to Masonic scholarship and understanding.
As stated in the paper “Quatuor Coronati” by R W Bro Bharat V Epur, OSM, the founders insisted on a methodology that emphasized historical accuracy, which has influenced Masonic research practices to this day.