Robert Brainerd Gaylord was born in River Falls, Wisconsin, on November 29, 1876. When he was seven years old, the family moved to California and settled in San Jose. He attended the public schools there and then entered the University of California where he graduated from the Law School in 1897.
He was admitted to the bar in 1897 and began his law practice in San Francisco. He was eminently successful in his legal work, devoting his energies to an extensive civil and corporation practice. His son became associated with him. He was a member of the San Francisco, California, and American Bar Associations.
On July 17, 1901, he married Miss Harriet Brown Lumley, and two children were born to them. He did not solicit political office, but served his city on the various municipal boards. He was a member of the Baptist church.
Sir Knight Gaylord was raised in Oakland Lodge No. 188 in Oakland, California, on March 18, 1899. He served as the Worshipful Master in 1906 and was elected Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of California in 1931.
He was exalted in Oakland Chapter No. 36 in Oakland, California, on October 22, 1902. He was greeted in Council No. 12 in Oakland, California on May 31, 1903.
He received the 320 in Oakland Consistory No. 2 on June 14, 1909, and was advanced to the grade of Knight Commander of the Court of Honor on October 22, 1929. He was also a member of St. Philip Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine; Islam Temple of the Mystic Shrine; and San Francisco Court No. 4, Royal Order of Jesters.
Sir Knight Gaylord was Knighted in Oakland Commandery No. 11, in Oakland, California on December 1, 1903. He served as Eminent Commander in 1913, and was elected Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of California in 1929. In 1934 he was started in the line of the Grand Encampment being appointed to the station of Grand Standard Bearer. He was elected Grand Master in 1949 at the forty-fourth Conclave held in San Francisco.
Sir Knight Gaylord gave generously of his time and talents to the cause of Knighthood. He was a staunch defender of the interests of Templary. In his position as Grand Master, he had an opportunity to exhibit that fine quality of leadership he had always shown in his efforts to keep the great Order of Knighthood on the high plane it has enjoyed in the affairs of men.Reference: From Dr. Francis J. Scully's...History of the Grand Encampment, Chapter XXIII, Biographies Of The Grand Masters, as published in the Knight Templar Magazine, July 1995 Edition, page 16
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