Prince Hall (1735-1807)

You are born into slavery but you gain freedom in
1770. You dabble in various business ventures and eventually become a successful leather merchant.
You face social discrimination in Boston. Unable to
join the Freemasons because of your race, you form African Lodge No.1. After the Revolution, you petition to end slavery in Massachusetts, but the petition fails. When you die, your lodge renames
itself the Prince Hall Grand Lodge in your
honor.