Preceded by J. Edward Simmons Succeeded by Frank R. Lawrence | Name William Brodie Died 1917 | |
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William A. Brodie (1841-1917) was a Scots-American businessman and Freemason. He was Grand Master of Masons in the state of New York in 1884 and in that capacity was the man who laid the foundation stone of the Statue of Liberty on August 5 of that year.
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Early life
Brodie was born in village of Kilbarchan, Scotland on August 9, 1841. When he was two years old his parents emigrated to America to begin a new life. They settled in the State of New York. William became a successful businessman. He died on May 9, 1917 .
Activities
Brodie was the county treasurer of Livingston County for fifteen years. Brodie was additionally the President of the Geneseo Gas Company and of the Geneseo Electric Company. He was an elder in the Presbyterian Church of Geneseo from 1868 until his death in 1917.
Freemasonry and the Statue of Liberty
Brodie was a dedicated Mason, as his work craft exhibits:
During his term as Grand Master of New York in 1884 he laid the foundation stone of the Statue of Liberty. When asked why the Freemasons would be asked to place the foundation stone he replied "No other organization has done more to promote liberty and to liberate men from the chains of ignorance and tyranny than Freemasonry."
State University of New York
William Brodie was also influential in having the Geneseo College established in Geneseo, Livingston County, New York, which is now known as S.U.N.Y. - State University of New York. The Brodie Fine Arts building, which was named after William Brodie was constructed on the S.U.N.Y. campus in 1967.