Grand Wizard
| Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan | |
|---|---|
 Insignia of the Ku Klux Klan | |
 | |
| Style | His Excellency |
| Member of | Ku Klux Klan |
| Seat |
Compton, California United States |
| Term length | Until resignation or deposition |
| Formation | 1866 |
| First holder | Nathan Bedford Forrest |
| Final holder | Mark Zingler |
| Abolished | 1944 |
| Website | Ku Klux Klan Official Website |
Grand Wizard was the title given to the head of the Reconstruction-era Ku Klux Klan which existed from 1866 to 1871.[1]
In 1915, the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan were created along the lines of a fraternal organization. The highest-ranking leader of the latter organization was the Imperial Wizard. National officers were "Imperial" officers. State or "Realm" officers were "Grand" officers. A "Grand Dragon", for example, was the highest-ranking Klansman in a given state.
Following World War II, dozens of people have assumed the "Wizard" title as leaders of the numerous, independent, Klan-oriented organizations that have existed since then, the majority of which lack historical significance.
Grand or Imperial Wizards
This list excludes those of post-war, independent factions.
- William J. Simmons, Imperial Wizard, second Klan, 1915-1922[2]
- Hiram Wesley Evans, Imperial Wizard, second Klan, 1922-1939[3]
- James A. Colescott, Imperial Wizard, second Klan, 1939-1944[4]
List of notable Third Klan Imperial Wizards who received votes (or political support) from Ku Klux Klan membership in more than one State.
- Samuel Green 1946-1949 [5]
- Samuel Roper 1949-1950 [6]
- Eldon Lee Edwards 1953-1960 [7]
- Robert Shelton 1961-1965 [8]
- Donald Joseph Ballentine 1967-1974 [9]
- David Duke (1974-1975)[10]
- Bill Wilkinson 1975-1981 [11]
- Donald Black 1981-1987 (imprisoned for part of tenure) [12]
- Dennis Mahon 1989-1992 (most recent Imperial Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan to gain notable membership support across state lines).[13]
References
- ↑ Quarles, Chester L. (1999). "Appendix I". The Ku Klux Klan and related American racialist and antisemitic organizations: a history and analysis. McFarland. ISBN 0-7864-0647-X.
- ↑ Wade, p.144
- ↑ Wade, p.188
- ↑ Wade, p.272
- ↑ Lay, Shawn (2005). Post–World War II Klan. The New Georgia Encyclopedia.
- ↑ Lay, p.78
- ↑ Lay, p.132
- ↑ Lay, p.132
- ↑ Lay, p.63
- ↑ Lay, p.177
- ↑ Lay, p.78
- ↑ Lay, p.64
- ↑ Lay, p.132
| |||||||||||||||||