Researching & Writing “Doneraile Court: The Story of The Lady Freemason”
December 17, 2022 @ 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
In her book, Kathleen Aldworth Foster details the life and times of The Lady Freemason, Elizabeth (St. Leger) Aldworth. Elizabeth’s journey with Freemasonry began in the pre-Grand Lodge era and ended when she died in 1773/1775, at the dawning of the American Revolution. During this time, Elizabeth went from her unexpected initiation to being an active lifelong member. She made public appearances in full regalia and received a full Masonic funeral. Kathleen explains the process of her 15 years of writing and research; her personal genealogical quest; the Aldworth family connections in England, Ireland, and the U.S.; and overcoming the immense self-doubt that can stop so many writers of both fiction and non-fiction from completing their work.
Kathleen Aldworth Foster
Kathleen Aldworth Foster is the author of “Doneraile Court: The Story of The Lady Freemason.” Although classified as historical fiction, the author went to great lengths to uncover the true story of Elizabeth (St. Leger) Aldworth, who was known as The Lady Freemason in 18th century Ireland. As a young woman in 1712, Elizabeth was caught spying on Freemasons in the middle of an initiation ritual in her family’s home. Legend has it, the men, including her own father, were forced to make a life or death decision. They chose life, and to this day, Elizabeth St. Leger is the only female member of Freemasonry recognized in Ireland, where her portrait hangs in the Grand Lodge of Dublin. Her childhood home, Doneraile Court, is in County Cork. It’s owned by the state of Ireland and is open to the public.