Bro Edward Jenner - engineered the vaccine for smallpox

Edward Anthony Jenner. 1749 - 1823

Bro Edward Jenner was born on May 17th 1749 he was raised on December 30th 1802 and died January 26th 1823.

Bro Edward Anthony Jenner was born in Berkeley, Gloucestershire, England.  Bro Jenner is credited for discovering the scientific principles of immunization and for engineering the vaccine for smallpox.

Bro Jenner's dream was for future generations to live in a world without smallpox.  This dream finally became reality 56 years after his death, when the World Health Organization declared smallpox an eradicated disease.

Jenner was raised a Master Mason in 1802 and was a member of Lodge of Faith and Friendship No.270 in Gloucestershire, England.  He was active in the fraternity, serving in 1812 as Master of his lodge.  This lodge was regularly visited by the Prince of Wales – the future George IV – who would play a significant role in Bro Jenner’s life. 

In 1821, having known him to be a man of integrity from their time together in lodge, the now King George IV appointed Bro Jenner to be his physician extraordinary.

Bro Jenner passed to the Grand Lodge above on January 26th 1823.

Resources:

Published in Masonica, Freemasons NZ 11 April, 2026

Images:

Head Image:  Book Cover.  Image based on early 19th-century stipple engraving of Edward Jenner.  The original print was engraved by William Ridley in 1804, based on a painting by John Raphael Smith.

Image 2: John Raphael Smith, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons