William Robert Woodman

William Robert Woodman (1828 – 20 December 1891) was an English medical doctor, horticultural expert and occultist who was Supreme Magus of the SRIA and one of three co-founders of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. He was also a member of several metaphysical orders in England.

Early years Woodman was born in England in 1828. He studied medicine and was licensed in 1851 and volunteered as a surgeon during Napoleon III's coup d'état.

Career Afterwards, he set up his own medical practice at Stoke Newington where he also served as police surgeon. He had a love for gardening and was a prominent horticulturalist and flower exhibitor. Inheritance left him with some property in Exeter. He retired there in 1871 to pursue his gardening aspirations, but moved back to London in 1887. The Royal Horticultural Society erected a memorial for his grave in Willesden.

Esoteric orders He was appointed Grand Sword Bearer of the United Grand Lodge of England, and he held high rank in many esoteric orders, including the Red Cross of Constantine. in which he held the office of Imperator. His mottos in the order were Magna est Veritas et Praelavebit (5=6, "Great is the Truth and it shall Prevail") and Vincit Omnia Veritas (7=4, "Truth Rules All"). In the Golden Dawn, no one was appointed to take his place in the Triad of Chiefs: Westcott became Praemonstrator and Mathers, Imperator.

Death Woodman died suddenly on 20 December 1891 in London after a brief illness. He was 63. He left behind a letter naming William Wynn Westcott as his successor to the SRIA and donating a portion of his library to the society.