ABSTRACT
For almost a century and a half, William Finch (c. 1772-1818)1 was a contested person. Though, during his lifetime, he had his admirers, who were extremely pleased with his instructive publications, others condemned him for what they deemed exposures, which represented a breach of his obligation as a Mason. It was only in 1942 that F. M. Rickard presented a balanced picture of Finch, pointing out that he was certainly a man of difficult temperament, but an honest Mason, with only genuine intentions to instruct especially the younger Brethren.2
