Dr. Rob Morris, Master Builder of the Order of the Eastern Star, was born
August 31, 1818, near Boston, Mass.  He became a Master Mason in
Oxford, Mississippi, March 5, 1846, where he was President of Mt. Sylvan
Academy.  He soon became interested in an idea that the female relatives
of Master Masons should share the benefits from knowledge of this great
fraternal Order.  With this desire, he set forth to evolve an Order which would
benefit both men and women.

He married Miss Charlotte Mendenhall, who was an inspiration and a real
helpmate for nearly fifty years.  They worked on the idea of the Order and
invited brother Masons and their wives to discuss the plans with Dr. Morris
demonstrating to them the theories he had formulated.

During the years he taught as principal in "The Little Red Brick School
Building" in Richland, Mississippi, 1849 - 1850, he worked with zeal writing
a Ritual of the Order of the Eastern Star.  In 1850 he systematized the
Degrees with the idea of giving them form, he decided on the degrees,
contemplated the themes, incorporated from the pages of antiquity the
heroines and names upon which the beautiful work is built, established the
signs and passes, colors and emblems of the Order and promulgated the
fundamental principals which have remained unchanged through the years.  
In 1880 the General Grand Chapter conferred on Dr. Morris the title of
"Master Builder of the Order of the Eastern Star" and August 31st, his
birthday, was set apart as the Festal Day of the Order, to be observed by
having special programs.

The first Grand Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star was organized in
Michigan in 1867.  The Chapters of the Order of the Eastern Star now
encircle the earth.  The membership in the Order numbers over 1,000,000
members in over 8,000 Chapters.

Dr. Rob Morris died on July 31, 1888.  He was buried in the cemetery in
La Grange, Kentucky, where a memorial was erected.  On one side of the
shaft is the Square and Compasses and on the other side is the Five
Pointed Star.

As the stars which bedeck the canopy of heaven are the beauty and glory of
the night and light the pathway of man on his journey through life, so may the
beautiful Star in the East, with all its significance, ever remain the glory of
the Order of the Eastern Star and light the pathway of the members in the
fulfillment of their vows.
Order of the Eastern Star