Rudyard Kipling alluded to Freemasonry in over twenty of his writings, his fame as a writer granted him a place of privilege among Masonic lists the Freemasons reserved for their eminent Brethren. Nevertheless, his first story to receive international acclaim, <span name="style_italic">The Man Who Would Be King</span> has been hardly referred to and barely studied among his works that mention the Order. Contrary to what can be expected from a Freemason who writes masonic references, Kipling did not resort to simple flattery. Therefore, this paper on Kipling's first novel intends, within a Latin American framework, to analyse this author and the masonic clue of his work. has been hardly referred to and barely studied among his works that mention the Order. Contrary to what can be expected from a Freemason who writes masonic references, Kipling did not resort to simple flattery. Therefore, this paper on Kipling's first novel intends, within a Latin American framework, to analyse this author and the masonic clue of his work.

Kipling; Freemasonry; The Man Who Would Be King; Imperialism; Literature