Born: 08 December 1865 – Died: 20 September 1957

Jean Sibelius, widely acclaimed as Finland’s greatest composer, was born in 1865. As a child, Finland was under Russian occupation, and the Finnish people chafed under the foreign yoke. Rather than rising up in armed revolt, Sibelius turned to creativity to express his people’s longing for freedom. His music became a rallying cry for the Finnish people and helped to forge a national identity that would eventually lead to independence in 1917.

As a Freemason, Sibelius was instrumental in bringing the fraternity back to Finland. Sibelius’ masonic life was as distinguished as his musical one. He was an active member of Suomi Lodge #1, serving as its Worshipful Master from 1924-1925. His musical compositions for the lodge, including the Anno Lucis festival cantata, were some of his finest works and are still performed today. He also wrote music for the induction ceremonies of other lodges and received several masonic honors, including the honorary title of Past Grand Organist.