The Craftsman
The Craftsman website is compiled by masonic author, John W. Bizzack, Ph.D. to be a source for educational materials, papers, articles, essays, and commentaries on a wide array of Masonic topics from well-known and knowledgeable members of the fraternity who are actively engaged in their lodges and educational activities.
The Craftsman website promotes the concept that Masonic meetings should promote the understanding of Freemasonry and conducted with dignity and reverence the purpose of our gatherings. That a premium should be placed focusing on quality fraternal, educational and social experiences for each individual Mason who can, as a result, constructively determine the uniqueness and effectiveness of his lodge.
We're committed to the endless exploration of Freemasonry through books, papers, articles, essays, commentaries, and resources on various Masonic topics from well-known and knowledgeable past and present Freemasons.
We believe that a premium should be placed on learning and improving oneself through the understanding and assistance of the tools of Freemasonry.
John W. Bizzack, Ph.D.
A forty-five-year veteran in the field of policing and criminal justice, Dr. Bizzack is the author of twenty books, numerous essays, commentaries, and papers on leadership, criminal investigation, police standards, the behavior of organizations, and their management. Fourteen of his books and dozens of other writings include topics about Freemasonry and its factual history. He speaks nationwide on a variety of issues about Freemasonry, the criminal justice system, and critical thinking.
Serving as Acting Master and then elected to two consecutive terms as Master of Lexington Lodge No. 1 (the oldest Masonic lodge in Kentucky), he was founder and coordinator of the Masonic History & Study Group and author of the Structured Degree Class Program used at the lodge since 2011. Currently serving as Special Advisor to the Master, he served a decade as Chair of the Lodge’s Education Committee.
A Fellow and former member of The Masonic Society Board, he is a director on the board of The Masonic Restoration Foundation, Vice Chair and founding member of The Rubicon Masonic Society and Second Vice President and Fellow of the Philalethes Society. He is co-editor of the Transactions of The Rubicon Masonic Society, Vol. 1, and co-producer of the popular 2022 film documentary, The Masonic Table.
Dr. Bizzack is a member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Louisville, Texas Lodge of Research, Quatuor Coronati Correspondence Circle, American Lodge of Research in New York, and Fellow in the initial class at William O. Ware Lodge of Research in Kentucky. An Honorary Member of Sophia Lodge No. 767, North Carolina’s first Observant Lodge, he is also a member of Fiat Lux No. 1717, and Alba Lodge No. 222 in Washington, D.C. He was presented The Masonic Statesmanship Award from Lexington Lodge No.1 in 2023 for his service to Freemasonry. In 2024, he was named the 112th member of The Society of Blue Friars.
In addition, Dr. Bizzack is co-founder and Past President of the Kentucky Law Enforcement Memorial Foundation, a former member of the Board of Regents at Easten Kentucky University and served as a member of the Board of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Bluegrass.