William Wynn Westcott (17 December 1848 Leamington, Warwickshire, England – 30 July 1925, Durban, South Africa) was a doctor of medicine, a coroner, a ceremonial magician, a Theosophist and Freemason. He was a Supreme Magus (chief) of the S.R.I.A and co-founder of the Golden Dawn.

Dr. Westcott’s parents died when he was 10 years old and he was adopted by his uncle who, like his father, was a medical doctor. Dr. Westcott attended Kingston Grammar School at Kingston-upon-Thames, and graduated from University College, London with a Bachelor in Medicine. He soon went into medical practice with his uncle in Soberest.

In 1871 he became active in Freemasonry. In 1875 Dr. Westcott joined the Masonic Lodge at Crewkerne, England, and in 1878 he chose a two year hiatus at Hendon, England to study Qabalah and other metaphysical topics. In 1881, he became deputy Coroner for Hoxton, and during the early 1890’s he was appointed Coroner for the North-East of London. Sometime between 1865 and 1878 he was admitted to Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia (S.R.I.A.) which was open only to high-grade Freemasons. Dr. Westcott became Magus of S.R.I.A. in 1890 and became Worshipful Master of the Research Lodge Quatuor Comati as well. Dr. Westcott was very influential in the formation – with S. L. MacGregor Mathers and Dr. Woodman. He was responsible for guiding the Golden Dawn in its early years.

Read more about William Wynn Westcott in the Post Scriptum of 'Numbers'.