Editing William Whiting

[[File:WilliamWhiting.jpg|thumb|William Whiting]]
=William Whiting (1788-1873) - Thirteenth Master of Corinthian Lodge=

==Overview==  
Colonel William Whiting, born on October 20, 1788, in Sterling, Worcester County, Massachusetts, served as the thirteenth Master of Corinthian Lodge. His leadership spanned several terms, including 1824-1826, 1832-1834, and 1845-1846. Whiting’s influence extended beyond Masonry, with contributions to education, temperance, and the Concord community.

==Early Life and Career==  
William Whiting came to Concord in 1799, residing with Dr. Joseph Hunt, his uncle, who operated an apothecary. After three and a half years of schooling, Whiting learned the trades of chaise and harness making under Capt. Henry Sanderson. At twenty, Whiting purchased his remaining apprenticeship time, starting his own business with only $21 in cash and incurring $60 in debt for clothing. His perseverance allowed him to become a successful tradesman and community leader.

==Masonic Contributions and Leadership==  
Initiated into Corinthian Lodge on May 3, 1819, and admitted as a member on September 27, 1819, Whiting held roles as Junior Warden from 1821 to 1823 before his first term as Master from 1824 to 1826. During his leadership, Whiting was appointed District Deputy Grand Master, a role he fulfilled from 1826 to 1828 and again in 1834 and 1835. He later served additional terms as Master in 1832-1834 and 1845-1846, during which he ended the practice of refreshments in the Lodge. Whiting was also the founding High Priest of the Concord Royal Arch Chapter in 1826, maintaining the office until the Chapter moved to Framingham.

==Military and Civic Engagement==  
At sixteen, Whiting joined the Concord Artillery Company as a fifer, later serving as clerk, second lieutenant, and ultimately captain. By 1811, he became lieutenant-colonel of the regiment, resigning when permitted by law. In the 1820s, he took an early stance on temperance, abstaining from alcohol, and later renounced tobacco after forty years of use.

In 1822, Whiting joined local leaders, including Hon. Samuel Hoar and Nathan Brooks, in establishing Concord Academy, a private school to address limited public education options. Whiting was a founding member of the Concord Debating Club, which evolved into the Concord Lyceum in 1829.

==Business Challenges and Resilience==  
Whiting faced several financial setbacks. In 1823, a fire caused by a tenant carpenter destroyed his workshop and over $3,000 in stock, half of his earnings from fourteen years of work. He rebuilt with the support of friends. In 1834, another fire on his premises destroyed five buildings, including his machine shop, causing further loss. Whiting weathered additional financial pressures during the economic depression of 1836-1837, emerging resilient through each challenge.

==Legacy and Later Life==  
A devoted advocate for temperance and anti-slavery reform, Whiting also served as a Sunday School teacher in the Unitarian Society of Concord. His enduring commitment to Masonry, education, and community welfare left a lasting impact. Whiting’s character and dedication have remained influential, shaping the community and Corinthian Lodge for generations.

[[Category:Past Masters]]  
[[Category:Biographies]]