American Rosicrucian and founder of The Ancient and Mystical Order Rosae Crucis (A.M.O.R.C.), the largest and best known of the Rosicrucian groups in the United States. Lewis was a prolific writer whose works are widely circulated by the Order.
As a young man, he was a member of the Methodist Church. In 1904, he formed the New York Institute for Psychical Research. Four years later, Lewis met Mrs. May Banks-Stacey who helped him contact the Rosicrucian Order in Europe. He claimed that information from the 18th century Philadelphia Rosicrucians was ‘transmitted’ to him, and in 1909, he traveled to France where he received his initiation. After he returned to the U.S., he organized a group for those interested in the occult, and in 1915, he formally organized the A.M.O.R.C. The influence of the Order spread rapidly, and between 1918 and 1927, Lewis moved his headquarters several times. However, in 1927 he re-established their headquarters in San Jose, California, where he incorporated the Pristine Church of the Rose Cross, an affiliated religious group where he served as bishop. The Order continued to flourish, although the Pristine Church was dissolved after only a few years. During the 1930s, the headquarters complex expanded to include the Rose-Croix University, a planetarium, and the Rosicrucian Research Library. An Egyptian Museum was later added and became a popular tourist attraction.
In 1931, Lewis became “Hierophant” of the “Great White Brotherhood Lodge for the Occidental World.” He held this position until his death.
His son, Ralph Maxwell Lewis (1902-1987), succeeded him as Imperator of the Order and was instrumental in expanding the A.M.O.R.C. into the vast modern organization it is today.
Lewis died 8/02/1939, San Jose, California.
Link to Wikipedia biography