Sometime towards the end of the 19th century, Mathers came in possession of the complete volume of the Book of Abraham. He attempted to translate it and was planning to publish the translated version, much to the disfavor of Westcott, who intended to keep its content a secret. After the assassination of Woodman, Mathers became the Imperator of the order for five years. After a conflict with Westcott however, he managed to make him leave the order, thus gaining the total control.