Merrick Rees Hamer, born 29 August, 1950, is a native Californian who has spent much of his creative life as a dramatic and musical storyteller. With a certain introspective nature, combined with a formal study in music, occupied him with performing legends and literature before juvenile and adult audiences. Musically trained, both privately and at the University of Southern California, Mr. Hamer still enjoys performing and composing. The introspective qualities that turned him toward legend and creativity eventually exposed Mr. Hamer to metaphysical doctrine and the Western Esoteric Tradition. He has an eclectic appreciation for many religions and philosophical doctrines but particularly embraces esoteric Christianity. In 1971 he became a Freemason in Culver City- Foshay Lodge, No. 467, F.& A.M., a lodge that finds appeal in the esoteric tradition of the craft. Other activities have included membership in a Rosicrucian College and in both the York and Scottish Rites of American Freemasonry. In 1997, the Supreme Council of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite for the Southern Jurisdiction in the United States coronated him with the Thirty Third Degree of Inspector General. Mr. Hamer is a considered a friend of several esoteric societies in Southern California, and his particular involvement, outside the body of Freemasonry, is with Rosicrucianism, especially as it has manifested in the classical Golden Dawn tradition.