Hello and welcome! As of December 1, 2025,we are delighted to announce the launch of our new season and new format.

Starting next Monday, December 8, MAGI will begin alternating weekly podcasts between audio academic papers and interviews of academic historians.

True to our name and mission we will deliver international academic papers by Professor Gerard Carruthers in Scotland, Dr. Robert James in Australia, Professor Kenyo Ishmael in Brazil, and others.

These will be available on alternating weeks. We believe that This is the most ambitious sustained schedule of Masonic scholarship ever produced in audio!

Next Monday begins our new season with the first long paper: Geoffrey Markham’s: “Some Problems with English Masonic History” published in 1997. A respected English barrister, Markham provides a solid, analytical, foundation for the first interview on 15 December: which sees the return of Prof John Dickie, Author of: “The Craft: How Freemasons Made the Modern World” to discuss Masonic secrecy.

Listen to the beginning of A.G. Markham's Inaugural paper in Quatuor Coronati Lodge 2076, London in 1996, publish in AQC v. 110, 1997. Read by MAGI Robert L.D. Cooper, PM QC 2076

“This paper consists of comment on some of the problems arising in the history of English craft Masonry in the period ending with the Union of the Grand Lodges in 1813. The notes and appendices to the printed version of the paper explain generalisations and include important further points which time does not allow to be included in this present spoken narrative. I continue next with a brief survey of familiar ground as preparation for what is said later.

In the 1600s Freemasonry was restricted to the British Isles and was a private matter, rarely recorded in writing; least of all in Ireland, and less so in England than in Scotland. This is a major problem; and it is surprising that we know as much as we do about English Masonry of the 1600s. It is possible to see the existence of a remarkable brotherhood of non-operative Mason, based on well recognised custom (including, notably, secret modes of recognition and those curious archaic documents the Old Charges), spread more or less all over the nation, crossing class boundaries in a very class conscious age: harmoniously and convivially uniting men, including, I would accept, those of differing political persuasions and practising mutual charity. But this evidence is limited in detail and does not extend to dispelling the mystery of its origins, a mystery, which, though since to some extent cherished by masons, has also lent itself to Misinterpretation by writers, both masonic and anti-masonic”

Listen to the supporting Appendices of A.G. Markham's in for Quatuor Coronati Lodge 2076, London in 1996. Published in AQC v. 110, 1997. Read by MAGI Robert L.D. Cooper, PM QC 2076

APPENDIX I: THE MASON WORD

APPENDIX II: SOME RECENT PRECONCEIVED THEORIES OF ORIGIN

In this inaugural Episode of THE WIDE MASONIC WORLD - Join hosts Robert Cooper and Mark Tabbert for the FIRST SIX MINUTES of a captivating discussion historical intricacies of Freemasonry's secrecy, with special guest, Professor John Dickie, author of the acclaimed book "The Craft: How Freemasons Made the Modern World." Winner of MAGI's highly coveted Seal of Approval!

Dr. John Dickie is Professor of Italian Studies at University College London. He is an internationally recognized specialist on many aspects of Italian history and his books have been translated into more than twenty languages. Born in Dundee in 1963, John was brought up in Leicestershire and educated at Loughborough Grammar School. He won a place at Pembroke College, Oxford, graduating in 1986 with a First in Modern Languages. He subsequently gained an MA and a DPhil at Sussex University. Since 1993 he has taught at UCL.

John has reached a multi-national television audience with a number of documentaries he has co-written and presented, including the six-part history of Italian food, De gustibus, which was based on his book Delizia! published in 2010. His other area of research is the Italian organized crime or the Cosa Nostra He publish “Blood Brothers: A History of Italy’s Three Mafias” in 2011 and “Mafia Republic” in 2014

In 2005 the President of the Italian Republic appointed him a Commendatore dell’Ordine della Stella della Solidarietà Italiana.

In this episodes DIckie, Cooper and Tabbert discuss such passages from The Craft as "Freemasonry's 'inviolate Secrecy' is elusive and powerful. It is the engine of the fascination and suspicion that has always surrounded the Freemasons. It attracts loyalty and trouble."

and

"Freemasonry is often referred to as a ‘secret society’ and clearly this is inaccurate as we are here, now talking about that society! Why do you think that all sections of society from the media, politicians, religious leaders and others use the word secret in this way?"

Learn more: https://johndickie.net/

Listen to this entire episode & support more content like this and subscribe to MAGI at patreon.com/MAGIAcademics.

Dive into a fascinating and often-overlooked chapter of American history in this episode of MAGI - Long Papers. Host Mark Tabbert guides listeners through Tony Fels' groundbreaking research on how Jews and Protestants found common ground within the Masonic lodges of booming, multicultural San Francisco during the Gilded Age.

Discover how Freemasonry served as a bridge between immigrant Jewish communities and established Protestant society, offering both camaraderie and a uniquely American pathway to assimilation. Mark explores the push and pull of religious identities, the allure of fraternal organizations, and the reasons why Jewish participation in San Francisco’s Masonic lodges was both significant and distinctive compared to other social clubs of the era.

We’ll unpack the ways shared values—like rationalism, universalism, and ritual—overcame social and religious divides, leading to unexpected alliances and shaping the city’s social landscape. You’ll also hear illuminating stories of individual Masons, the internal dynamics of different lodges, and honest discussions about the limits of inclusion amid persistent antisemitism.

If you’re curious about American religious history, the role of fraternal organizations in cultural assimilation, or the vibrant, sometimes turbulent world of 19th-century San Francisco, this episode is not to be missed. Join us for an engaging journey through the intersections of faith, class, and identity in a city unlike any other.

Listen to this entire episode & support more content like this and subscribe to MAGI at patreon.com/MAGIAcademics.

Dive into the rich and complex world of early Freemasonry with hosts Mark Tabbert and Robert Cooper in this episode of MAGI: Book Reviews. Together, they explore “Exploring Early Grand Lodge Freemasonry: Studies in Honor of the Tricentennial of the Establishment of the Grand Lodge of England.” Edited by Christopher Murphy and Sean Eyre, this substantial volume features nine unique essays from leading Masonic scholars.

Mark and Robert break down the book's high points, from deep dives into James Anderson’s Constitutions and the origins of Masonic traditions, to fascinating explorations of music, myth, and the personalities who helped shape Freemasonry’s early years. Special attention is given to a standout essay on John Desaguliers, connecting science, religion, and Freemasonry in 18th-century England.

You’ll get thoughtful critiques about the book’s structure, approach, and scholarly contributions, including candid takes on its strengths and quirks. Whether you’re a dedicated Freemason, a history buff, or simply curious about the mysterious fraternity, this episode offers both insight and honest opinions on a landmark academic collection. Tune in for rigorous analysis—and find out if this book earns MAGI’s coveted Seal of Approval!

Listen to this entire episode & support more content like this and subscribe to MAGI at patreon.com/MAGIAcademics.

Is Freemasonry more of a business or a fraternity—or is it both? In this thought-provoking episode of MAGI Circle, hosts Chris Ruli, Mark Tabbert, and Robert Cooper are joined by special guest Dr. Heather K. Calloway (Director of Collections at Indiana University) to tackle this enduring question.

Together, they explore the fascinating intersection between Freemasonry’s fraternal traditions and its surprising historical ties to business and industry. From the origins of regalia manufacturing to the rise of the “Masonic industrial complex,” you'll learn how economic forces, competition, and mass production shaped the development of lodges and fraternal organizations on both sides of the Atlantic.

The conversation dives deep into how business needs—from minute books and administrative bureaucracy to insurance policies and philanthropic initiatives like the Shriners Hospitals—transformed Freemasonry throughout history. Hear stories of cottage industries stitching aprons, the impact of standardization and industrialization, and how needs like widows’ benefits spurred the rise of fraternal insurance.

With personal anecdotes, expert insights, and a bit of humor, this episode pulls back the curtain on the delicate balance between camaraderie and commerce that still shapes Freemasonry today. Whether you’re a Mason, a historian, or just curious about secret societies, you’ll find plenty to think about in this lively discussion!

To listen to this entire episode FREE & support more content like this subscribe to MAGI at patreon.com/MAGIAcademics.

Have you ever wondered about the origins of mysterious words used in Freemasonry? In this episode of Cooper on the Case, host Robert Cooper dives deep into the intriguing history of the term “Cowan”—a word that appears in Masonic ritual as a warning, yet traces back to everyday Scottish life, surnames, and the world of stonemasons.

Join Robert as he explores references from Dr. George F. Black’s Surnames of Scotland, unpacks centuries-old statutes, and scours historical accounts to reveal how “Cowan” made the leap from a common surname and rural occupation to a loaded term inside Masonic lodges. Discover why Masons were cautioned NEVER to work with Cowans, the social and occupational divisions behind it, and how this single word offers a fascinating window into the evolution of modern Freemasonry.

Whether you’re a Mason, a history buff, or just curious about secret societies and Scottish traditions, this episode serves up captivating insights and untold stories. Tune in and let Robert Cooper take you on a detective’s journey to uncover the true meaning—and mystery—of Cowan.