Frank Bennett

Frank Bennett (1868 – November 1930) was an Australian chemist who was disciple of occultist Aleister Crowley a member and later head of the Ordo Templi Orientis (O.T.O.) in that country. He was a member of Crowley’s A∴A∴ and is often referred to by one of the magical names that he used in that Order: Frater Progradior, (Progradior is an approximation of the Latin for "I advance"). Early life Bennett was born in Worsley, Lancashire, England. He worked variously as a builder, industrial chemist, and factory manager, and in later life, as a caretaker and maintenance supervisor. During his earlier years he was involved in a number of esoteric movements, including the Theosophical Society and Universal Co-Freemasonry (now known as Co-Masonry: a mixed-sex version of Freemasonry). He got in touch with Crowley in 1909 through The Equinox newsletter, asking for information on the Abramelin operation. Career Not long after, he joined Crowley’s A∴A∴ and later the O.T.O. In spite of his interest in Crowley, Bennett kept his ties with Co-Masonry and in 1911 emigrated to Australia, with the specific purpose of assisting in the foundation of Co-Masonic Lodges, a task he undertook with some success. He eventually settled in Sydney, where he was joined by his wife and children. Frank Bennett’s interest in Co-Masonry waned, and he resigned from the Sydney Lodge, of which he was Past Grand Master, after a dispute over its management.