With The Lost Empire: Black Freemasonry in the Old West (1867-1906), James R. Morgan III artfully transports readers to the period when western outlaws ruled the territories and brings them face to face with the black men who brought enlightenment, guidance and protection to the formerly enslaved through organization. At the vanguard was Captain William Dominick Matthews--Freemason, Civil War officer and abolitionist--who became one of the most illustrious and controversial figures of his time.

This book takes an in-depth look at the role Freemasonry played in shaping African American culture, and examines the lives of the most prominent black Freemasons of the period as well as their internal and external battles. Captain Matthews followed his own rules of masonic leadership, informed by the violent and fast paced time in which he lived. This was the west and this is how it was won for Black Freemasonry!

James R. Morgan III is a graduate of the Howard University in Washington, D.C. where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications and African American History in 2011. He is a genealogist and member of the James Dent Walker Chapter of the African American Historical and Genealogical Society (AAHGS) and a panelist on the Black ProGen Live Youtube show. He is a founding member and Co-Panelist on the monthly Youtube based show entitled “The Prince Hall Think Tank”.

Mr. Morgan serves the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia as its Worshipful Grand Historian & Archivist.  James is also an Honorary Fellow of the Phylaxis Research Society. Brother Morgan is the author of the book The Lost Empire: Black Freemasonry in the Old West (1867-1906).