Massol (Marie Alexandre), French writer, b. Beziers, 18 March,
1805. He studied under Raspail, went to Paris in '30 and became a Saint
Simonian. In '48 he wrote on Lamennais' La Réforme, and on the Voix
du Peuple with his friend Proudhon, to whom he became executor. In
'65 he established La Morale Independante with the object of showing
morality had nothing to do with theology. Died at Paris 20 April, 1875.
Maubert de Gouvest (Jean Henri), French writer, b. Rouen, 20
Nov. 1721. Brought up as a monk, he fled and took service in the Saxon
army. He was thrown into prison by the King of Poland, but the Papal
nuncio procured his release on condition of retaking his habit. This
he did and went to Rome to be relieved of his vows. Failing this
he went to Switzerland and England, where he was well received by
Lord Bolingbroke. He published Lettres Iroquoises, Irocopolis, 1752,
and other anonymous works. At Frankfort in 1764 he was arrested as
a fugitive monk and vagabond, and was imprisoned eleven months. Died
at Altona, 21 Nov. 1767.
Maudsley (Henry), M.D., b. near Giggleswick, Yorkshire, 5
Feb. 1835. Educated at London University, where he graduated
M.D. in 1857. Taking mental pathology as his speciality, he soon
reached eminence in his profession. From '69-'79 he was professor
of medical jurisprudence at University College, London. His works on
The Physiology and Pathology of the Mind ('67), Body and Mind ('70),
Responsibility in Mental Disease ('73), and Body and Will ('83) have
attracted much attention. His Natural Laws and Supernatural Seemings
('80) is a powerful exposure of the essence of all superstition.
Mauvillon (Jakob von), b. Leipzig, 8 March, 1743. Though feeble in
body, he had a penchant for the army, and joined the engineer corps of
Hanover, and afterwards became lieutenant-colonel in the service of the
Duke of Brunswick. A friend and admirer of Mirabeau, he defended the
French Revolution in Germany. He wrote anonymously Paradoxes Moraux
(Amsterdam, 1768) and The Only True System of the Christian Religion
(Berlin, 1787), at first composed under the title of False Reasonings
of the Christian Religion. Died in Brunswick, 11 Jan. 1794.
Mazzini (Giuseppe), Italian patriot, b. Genoa, 28 June 1808. In '26 he
graduated LL.D., in the University of Genoa, and plunged into politics,
becoming the leader of Young Italy, with the object of uniting the
nation. Condemned to death in '33, he went to Switzerland and was
expelled, then came to England in '37. In '48 he returned, and in March
'49 was made triumvir of Rome with Saffi and Armellini. Compelled,
after a desperate resistance, to retire, he returned to London. He
wrote in the Westminster Review and other periodicals and his works are
numerous though mostly of a political character. They are distinguished
by highmindedness, love of toleration and eloquence. Carlyle called
Mazzini "a man of genius and virtue, a man of sterling veracity,
humanity and nobleness of mind." Died at Pisa 10 March, 1872. He was
a Deist.
Meissner (Alfred), German poet, b. Teplitz, 15 Oct. 1822. Has written
Ziska, an epic poem, The Son of Atta Troll, Recollections of Heine,
etc. Died Teplitz, 20 May, 1885.
Meister (Jacques Henri), Swiss writer, b. Bückeburg, 6
Aug. 1744. Intended for a religious career, he went to France, and
became acquainted with D'Holbach and Diderot, of whom he wrote a short
life, and was secretary to Grimm. He wrote the Origin of Religious
Principles, 1762, and Natural Morality, 1787.
Menard (Louis), French author and painter, b. Paris, 1822. In
'48-'49 he wrote Prologue of a Revolution, for which he was obliged
to leave France. Has written on Morality before the Philosophers,
'60, Studies on the Origin of Christianity, '67, and Freethinkers'
Religious Catechism, '75.
Mendoza (Diego Hurtado de), famous and learned Spanish author, b. of
distinguished family, Granada, 1503. Intended for the church, he
studied Latin, Greek, Arabic, and Hebrew, but on leaving the university
he joined the army. At school he wrote his well known comic novel,
Lazarillo de Tormes, which was condemned by the Inquisition. Sent
on an embassy to Pope Paul III., the latter was greatly shocked at
his audacity and vehemence of speech. His chief work is his History
of the Moorish Wars, which remained unprinted thirty years, through
the intolerant policy of Philip II. Mendoza's satires and burlesques
were also prohibited by the Inquisition. He commented Aristotle and
translated his Mechanics. Died at Valladolid, April, 1575.
Mendum (Josiah P.), publisher and proprietor of the Boston
Investigator, b. Kennebunk, Maine, 7 July, 1811. He became a printer,
and in 1833 became acquainted with Abner Kneeland and after his
imprisonment engaged to print the Investigator, and when Kneeland
left Boston for the West to recruit his health, he carried on the
paper together with Mr. Horace Seaver. Mr. Mendum was one of the
founders of the Paine Memorial Hall, Boston, and a chief support of
Freethought in that city.
Mentelle (Edme), French geographer and historian, b. Paris, 11
Oct. 1730. Studied at the College de Beauvais under Crévier. His
Précis de l'Histoire des Hébreux (1798), and Précis de l'Histoire
Universelle are thoroughly anti-Christian. He doubted if Jesus ever
existed. He was a member of the Institute and Chevalier of the Legion
of Honor. Died at Paris, 28 Dec. 1815.
Mercier (L. A.), author of La Libre Pensée, Brussels, 1879.
Meredith (Evan Powell), Welsh writer, author of The Prophet of Nazareth
(1864), an able work exposing the prophecies of Jesus, and Amphilogia,
a reply in to the Bishop of Landaff and the Rev. J. F. Francklin, '67.
Meredith (George), philosophical poet and novelist, b. Hampshire,
1828, and educated partly on the Continent. Intended for the law,
he adopted literature in preference. He first appeared as a poet
with Poems ('51). Of his powerful novels we mention the Ordeal of
Richard Feveril ('59), Emilia in England ('64), now Sandra Belloni,
with Vittoria ('66) for a sequel. Rhoda Fleming, Beauchamp's Career
('76), The Egoist ('79), The Tragic Comedians ('81) and Diana of
the Crossways ('85). Deep thought and fine grace characterise his
writings. As a poet Mr. Meredith is not popular, but his volumes of
verse are marked by the highest qualities, and give him a place apart
from the throng of contemporary singers.
Merimee (Prosper), learned French writer, b. Paris, 28 Sept. 1808,
author of numerous essays and romances. Was made Inspector General
of Historic Monuments and was admitted to the Academy in '44. In his
anonymous brochure on H(enri) B(eyle), Eleutheropolis (Brussels), '64,
there is an open profession of Atheism. Died at Cannes, 23 Sept. 1870.
Merritt (Henry), English painter and writer, b. Oxford, 8 June,
1822. On coming to London he lived with Mr. Holyoake, and contributed
to the Reasoner, using the signature "Christopher." He wrote on Dirt
and Pictures and Robert Dalby and his World of Troubles, etc. Died
in London, 10 July, 1877.
Meslier or Mellier (Jean), curé of Etrepigny, Champagne, b. Mazerny,
Rethelois, 15 June, 1664. Died in 1729. After his death a will was
discovered of which he had made three copies, in which he repudiated
Christianity and requested to be buried in his own garden. His
property he left to his parishioners. Voltaire published it under
the title of Extract from the sentiments of Jean Meslier. To Meslier
has been attributed the work entitled Le Bon Sens, written by Baron
D'Holbach. Le Testament de Jean Meslier has been published in three
volumes at Amsterdam, 1864, preceded by a study by Rudolf Charles
(R. C. d'Ablaing van Giessenburg). It calls in question all the dogmas
of Christianity. Anacharsis Clootz proposed to the National Convention
to erect a statue to this "honest priest."
Metchnikov (Léon), Russian writer in French; author of a work on
Japan and of able articles, notably one on Christian Communion in
the Revue Internationale des Sciences Biologiques, tome 12.
Metrodorus of Lampsacus. Greek philosopher, b. 330 B.C., a disciple
and intimate friend of Epicurus. He wrote numerous works, the titles
of which are preserved by Diogenes Laertius. Died B.C. 277.
Mettrie, see La Mettrie.
Meunier (Amédée Victor), French writer, b. Paris, 2 May, 1817. Has
done much to popularise science by his Scientific Essays, 1851-58,
the Ancestors of Adam, '75, etc.
Meyer (Lodewijk), a Dutch physician, a friend and follower of
Spinoza, who published Exercitatio Paradoxa on the philosophical
interpretation of scripture, Eleutheropoli (Amst.), 1666. This has
been wrongly attributed to Spinoza. It was translated into Dutch
in 1667. He is also credited with Lucii Antistic Constantes, de
jure ecclesiasticorum. Alethopoli (Amst.), 1665. This work is also
attributed to another writer, viz. P. de la Court.
Mialhe (Hippolyte), French writer, b. Roquecourbe (Tarn), 1834. From
'60-62 he was with the French army of occupation at Rome. He has
organised federations of Freethinkers in France, edited L'Union
des Libres-Penseurs, and has written Mémoires d'un libre Penseur
(Nevers, 1888).
Michelet (Jules), French historian, b. Paris, 21 Aug. 1798. Became
a Professor of History in 1821. Has written a History of France and
of the French Revolution; The Jesuits, with his friend Quinet, '43;
The Priest, Woman and the Family, '44; The Sorceress, dealing with
witchcraft in the Middle Ages, '62; The Bible of Humanity, '64. His
lectures were interdicted by the Government of Louis Phillippe, and
after the coup d'état he was deprived of his chair. All Michelet's
works glow with eloquence and imagination. He never forgot that he
was a republican and Freethinker of the nineteenth century. Died at
Hyères, 9 Feb. 1874.
Michelet (Karl Ludwig), German philosopher of French family, b. Berlin,
4 Dec. 1801. In '29 he became Professor of Philosophy. A disciple
of Hegel, he edited his master's works, '32. His principle work is A
System of Philosophy as an Exact Science, '76-81. He has also written
on the relation of Herbert Spencer to German philosophy.
Middleton (Conyers), Freethinking clergyman, b. York 1683. His Letters
from Rome, 1729, showed how much Roman Christianity had borrowed from
Paganism, and his Free Inquiry into the Miraculous Powers supposed
to have subsisted in the Christian Church, 1749, was a severe blow
to hitherto received "Christian Evidences." He also wrote a classic
Life of Cicero. Died at Hildersham near Cambridge, 28 July, 1750.
Mignardi (G.), Italian writer, who in 1884 published Memorie di un
Nuovo Credente (Memoirs of a New Believer).
Milelli (Domenico), Italian poet, b. Catanzaro, Feb. 1841. His family
intended to make him a priest, but he turned out a rank Pagan, as
may be seen in his Odi Pagane, '79, Canzonieri, '84, and other works.
Mill (James), philosopher and historian, b. Northwaterbridge, Montrose,
6 April, 1773. Studied at Edinburgh, and distinguished himself by his
attainments in Greek and moral philosophy. He was licensed as preacher
in the Scotch Church, but removed to London in 1800, and became editor
of the Literary Review, and contributed to the reviews. He published,
'17-'19, his History of British India. He contributed many articles to
the fifth edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica. A friend of Bentham,
he wrote largely in the Westminster Review, and did much to forward
the views of Philosophic Radicalism. His Analysis of the Human Mind,
'39, is a profound work. In religion he was a complete sceptic. Reading
Bishop Butler's Analogy made him an Atheist. Died 23 June, 1836.
Mill (John Stuart), eminent English writer, son of the preceding,
b. London, 20 May, 1806. Educated by his father without religion, he
became clerk in the East India House, and early in life contributed to
the Westminster and Edinburgh Reviews. Of the first he became joint
editor in '35. His System of Logic, '43, first made him generally
known. This was followed by his Principles of Political Economy. In
'59 appeared his small but valuable treatise On Liberty, in which he
defends the unrestricted free discussion of religion. Among subsequent
works were Utilitarianism, '63; Auguste Comte and Positivism, '67;
Examination of Sir William Hamilton's Philosophy '65; Dissertations
and Discussions, '59-'75; and the Subjection of Women, '69. In '65
he was elected to Parliament for Westminster, but lost his seat in
'68. In '67 he was chosen Rector of St. Andrews, and delivered the
students an able address. Prof. Bain says "in everything characteristic
of the creed of Christendom he was a thorough-going negationist. He
admitted neither its truth nor its utility." Died at Avignon, 8 May,
1873, leaving behind his interesting Autobiography and three essays on
"Nature," "Theism," and "Religion."
Mille (Constantin), Roumanian writer, b. at Bucharest, educated at
Paris. He lectured at Jassy and Bucharest on the History of Philosophy,
from a Materialistic point of view. He was also active with Codreano,
and after the latter's death ('77), in spreading Socialism. Millé
contributes to the Rivista Sociala and the Vütorul, edited by
C. Pilitis.
Milliere (Jean Baptiste), Socialist, b. of poor parents, Lamarche
(Côte d'Or), 13 Dec. 1817. He became an advocate, and founded the
Proletaire at Clermont Ferrand. For writing Revolutionary Studies he
was, after the coup d'état, banished to Algeria until the amnesty of
'59. In '69 Millière started, with Rochefort, the Marseillaise, of
which he became one of the principal directors. At the election for the
National Assembly he was elected for Paris by 73,000 votes. Although
he took no part in the Commune, but sought to act as an intermediary,
he was arrested and summarily shot near the Pantheon, Paris, 26 May,
1871. He died crying "Vive l'Humanité."
Mirabaud (Jean Baptiste de), French writer, b. Paris, 1675. He
translated Tasso and Ariosto, and became perpetual secretary to the
French Academy. He wrote Opinions of the Ancients on the Jews, a
Critical Examination of the New Testament, (published under the name
of Fréret), The World: its Origin and Antiquity, 1751, Sentiments of
a Philosopher on the Nature of the Soul inserted in the collection
entitled Nouvelle libertés de Penser, Amst. (Paris) 1743. The System
of Nature, attributed to Mirabaud, was written by d'Holbach. Mirabaud
died 24 June, 1760.
Mirabeau (Honoré Gabriel Riquetti Comte de), French statesman
and orator, b. at the Chateau de Bignon (Loiret) 9 March, 1749. He
inherited a passionate nature, a frank strong will, generous temper,
and a mind of prodigious activity. He entered the army in 1767,
but by an amorous intrigue provoked the ire of his father, by whom
he was more than once imprisoned. In 1776 he went to Amsterdam and
employed himself in literary work. In 1783 appeared anonymously his
Erotika Biblion, dealing with the obscenity of the Bible. In 1786 he
was sent to Berlin, where he met Frederick and collected materials
for his work on The Prussian Monarchy. He returned to the opening of
the States General and soon became leader of the Revolution, being
in Jan. 1791 chosen President of the National Assembly. He advocated
the abolition of the double aristocracy of Lords and bishops, the
spoliation of the Church and the National Guard. Carlyle calls him
"far the strongest, best practical intellect of that time." He died
2 April, 1791. Among his last words were, "Envelop me with perfumes
and crown me with flowers that I may pass away into everlasting sleep."
Miranda (Don Francisco). South American patriot and general, b. Caracas
1750, aided the Americans in their War of Independence, tried to free
Guatimalaus from the Spanish, allied himself to the Girondins and
became second in command in the army of Dumouriez. He was a friend
of Thomas Paine. In 1806-11 he was engaged seeking to free Peru from
the Spaniards, by whom he was made prisoner, and died in a dungeon
at Cadiz, 16 Jan. 1816. It was said General Miranda made a sceptic
of James Mill.