Grand Wizard

Grand Wizard was the title given to the head of the Reconstruction-era Ku Klux Klan founded in 1865.

This article is about the Ku Klux Klan title. For the professional wrestling manager known as "The Grand Wizard", see Ernie Roth.

History

In 1915, the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan were created along the lines of a fraternal organization. The highest-ranking leader of that latter-day organization was the Imperial Wizard. National officers were styled "Imperial" officers. State or "Realm" officers were styled "Grand" officers. A "Grand Dragon", for example, was the highest-ranking Klansman in a given state.

Grand wizards or imperial wizards

This list excludes those Grand or Imperial Wizards of post-war, independent Klan factions:

• Nathan Bedford Forrest, Grand Wizard, Reconstruction Klan, 1867–1869[1]
• William Joseph Simmons, Imperial Wizard, second Klan, 1915–1922[2]
• Emil Skog, Imperial Wizard, second Klan, 2010–Present[3]
• John-Martin Breili, Imperial Wizard, second Klan, 2010-Present[4]

See also

• Ku Klux Klan titles and vocabulary

References

1. Wade 1980 harvnb error: no target: CITEREFWade1980 (help)
2. Wade 1980, p. 144. sfn error: no target: CITEREFWade1980 (help)
3. Wade 1980, p. 188. sfn error: no target: CITEREFWade1980 (help)
4. Wade 1980, p. 272. sfn error: no target: CITEREFWade1980 (help)

Sources

• Wade, Wyn Craig (1998). The Fiery Cross: the Ku Klux Klan in America. Oxford University Press US. ISBN 0-19-512357-3.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)