F E AT U R E
THE NORTHERN LIGHT
Our Editors in Chief Brief In
January 1970, in Volume 1, No. 1, of The Northern Light, George E. Burow, 33°, the magazine’s first editor, pledged to his Scottish Rite brethren that the staff would use “the very best of our abilities in bringing you the best publication possible, one in which you can take justifiable pride.” Since that time, The Northern Light has been a source of light, knowledge, news, and information, not only for the members of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction but for Masons the world over. In its 50-year history, the magazine has had only four editors which is a testament to its stability and sense of purpose. Let’s meet the men who have shaped the magazine and helped make it what it is today.
May 2020
Ill. George E. Burow, 33° Editor, 1970-1977
Ill. Brother George E. Burow, 33°, served as the sole editor of The Northern Light since its inception in 1970, until 1975. In 1976, Bro. Burow, 33°, served as co-editor of the magazine with Richard H. Curtis, 33°. Brother Burow was born in Danville, Illinois, and stayed close to his hometown. He attended Illinois Wesleyan University, earning a B.A. degree in 1931. He continued his education at the University of Illinois, earning a Master’s degree in 1937. He also did graduate work at Syracuse University. He became a DeMolay in 1929 and was raised a Master Mason in Olive Branch Lodge No. 38, A.F. & A.M. in Danville, Illinois, in 1939, serving as Worshipful Master in 1945. He was so proud to have raised his father, his brother, and his son to the degree of Master Mason as well, all in Olive Branch Lodge. Ill. Brother Burow started as a cub reporter for the Bloomington Daily
by Joann Williams-Hoxha, Content Manager
Pantagraph followed by a summer job at Danville Commercial-News in 1931. He recalled that he was not sure whether the summer position even paid anything, but was still overjoyed at the prospect of becoming a newsman in the midst of the Great Depression. From 1931 to 1946, he was a high school teacher, coach, and principal at Warsaw High School, and later a teacher and swim coach at Danville High. In 1942, he became a part-time editorial writer for the Commercial-News. He took the position of managing editor in 1949, a job he held for 20 years. His “retirement” in 1969 certainly did not slow him down, rising high in the Masonic ranks and establishing The Northern Light magazine. In 1974, he became Deputy of Illinois for the Scottish Rite, a post he resigned when appointed as Grand Minister in 1981. He served on several Scottish Rite Committees, including Fraternal Relations and Benevolences. He also led fundraising efforts for the Scottish Rite Masonic Museum and Library. In addition to his commitment to Masonry, he taught water safety for 41 years at his local Red Cross Chapter, volunteered with Boy Scouts of America for 20 years, and served on the board of the YMCA for 15 years. He was a lifetime member of St. James Methodist Church of Danville where he was a trustee, Sunday school superintendent and teacher, and board member. Ill. Brother Burow joined the Celestial Lodge on December 28, 1984. A colleague wrote in a remembrance column in the Danville CommercialNews, “We are reminded that men like Ill. Brother Burow do make a difference in this world; that they endow our lives; that they leave for us a quality of character, a spirit, and a commitment to follow always the highest and the best.” ScottishRiteNMJ.org
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