author
Joseph Fort Newton
1876–1950
A preacher, lecturer, and prolific writer, he brought spiritual reflection and plainspoken warmth to subjects ranging from faith to Freemasonry. His books reached a wide audience in the early 20th century and are still remembered for their clarity and earnest tone.
1 Audiobook
The Builders: A Story and Study of Masonry
by Joseph Fort Newton
About the author
Born in Decatur, Texas, in 1876, Joseph Fort Newton became an ordained Baptist minister while still very young. Over the course of his career, he served in Baptist, Universalist, and Episcopal settings, building a reputation as an eloquent preacher and a thoughtful religious voice.
He was also a busy author and lecturer. Newton wrote on religion, ethics, and public life, but he is especially well known for his Masonic writing, particularly The Builders, a book that helped introduce generations of readers to the history and ideals of Freemasonry.
What makes his work stand out is its welcoming style. Even when dealing with big subjects, he wrote in a clear, human way that made readers feel they were being guided rather than instructed.