Abd al Hakk ibn Ibrahim ibn Muhammad ibn Sabin. See Sabin.
Abu Abd'allah Muhammad ibn Massara al Jabali. Arabian pantheist
b. 881. He lived at Cordova in Spain and studied the works of
Empedocles and other Greek philosophers. Accused of impiety, he
left Spain and travelled through the East. Returned to Spain and
collected disciples whom he led to scepticism. He was the most eminent
predecessor of Ibn Rushd or Averroes. Died Oct. 931. His works were
publicly burned at Seville.
* Acosta (Uriel), the name of his work was Examen Traditorum
Philosophicarum ad legem Scriptam.
Acuna (Rosario de), Spanish writer and lecturess, b. Madrid about
1854. Contributes to Las Dominicales of Madrid. Has written The Doll's
House, and other educational works.
* Adams (Robert C.), American Freethought writer and lecturer,
the son of the Rev. Needham Adams, b. Boston 1839. He became a
sea-captain, and was afterwards shipper at Montreal. Has written
in Secular Thought, the Truthseeker and the Freethinker's Magazine,
and published rational lectures under the title Pioneer Pith, '89. In
'89 he was elected President of the Canadian Secular Union.
Admiraal (Aart), Dutch writer, b. Goedereede, 13 Oct. 1833. At first
a schoolmaster, he became in '60 director of the telegraph bureau at
Schoonhoven. He wrote from '56 for many years in De Dageraad over
the anagram "Aramaldi." In '67 he published The Religion of the
People under the pseudonym "Bato van der Maas," a name he used in
writing to many periodicals. A good mind and heart with but feeble
constitution. He died 12 Nov. 1878.
Airoldi (J.) Italian lawyer, b. Lugano (Switzerland), 1829; a poet
and writer of talent.
Albaida (Don Jose M. Orense), Spanish nobleman (marquis), one of the
founders of the Republican party. Was expelled for his principles;
returned to Spain, and was president of the Cortes in 1869.
* Alchindus. Died about 864.
* Aleardi had better be deleted. I am now told he was a Christian.
Alfarabi. See Alpharabius.
Algeri (Pomponio), a youth of Nola. Studied at Padua, and was accused
of heresy and Atheism, and burnt alive in a cauldron of boiling oil,
pitch, and turpentine at Rome in 1566.
Alkemade (A. de Mey van), Dutch nobleman, who contributed to
De Dageraad, and also published a work containing many Bible
contradictions, 1862; and in '59 a work on the Bible under the pen name
"Alexander de M."
Allais (Denis de). See Vairasse.
Allais (Giovanni), Italian doctor, b. Casteldelfino, 1847.
Almquist (Herman), Swedish, b. 1839, orientalist; professor of
philology at the University of Upsala. An active defender of new
ideas and Freethought.
Altmeyer (Jean Jacques), Belgian author, b. Luxembourg, 20
Jan. 1804. Was professor at the University of Brussels. He wrote an
Introduction to the Philosophical Study of the History of Humanity,
'36, and other historical works. Died 15 Sept. 1877.
Amari (Michele), Sicilian historian and orientalist, b. Palmero, 7
July, 1806. In '32 he produced a version of Scott's Marmion. He wrote
a standard History of the Musulmen in Sicily. After the landing of
Garibaldi, he was made head of public instruction in the island. He
took part in the anti-clerical council of '69. Died at Florence,
July 1889.
* Amaury de Chartres. According to L'Abbè Ladvocat his disciples
maintained that the sacraments were useless, and that there was no
other heaven than the satisfaction of doing right, nor any other hell
than ignorance and sin.
Anderson (Marie), Dutch lady Freethinker, b. the Hague, 2
Aug. 1842. She has written many good articles in de Dageraad, and
was for some time editress of a periodical De Twintigste Eeuw (the
twentieth century). She has also written some novels. She resides now
at Würzburg, Germany, and contributes still to de Dageraad. As pen-name
she formerly used that of "Mevrouw Quarlès" and now "Dr. Al. Dondorf."
* Anthero de Quental. This name would be better under Quental.
Apono. See Petrus de Abano. This would probably be best under Abano.
* Aquila. Justinian forbade the Jews to read Aquila's version of
the Scriptures.
Aranda (Pedro Pablo Abarca de Bolea), Count, Spanish statesman,
b. of illustrious family, Saragossa, 18 Dec. 1718. Was soldier and
ambassador to Poland. He imbibed the ideas of the Encyclopædists,
and contributed to the expulsion of the Jesuits from Spain in 1767. He
also disarmed the Inquisition. In 1792 he was elected Spanish minister
to France. He was recalled and exiled to Aragon, where he died in 1799.
Argilleres (Antoine), at first a Jacobin monk and afterwards a
Protestant preacher, was tortured several times, then decapitated and
his head nailed to a gibbet at Geneva, 1561-2, for having eight years
previously taken the part of Servetus against Calvin at Pont-de-Veyle
in Bresse.
* Arnould (Victor). Has continued his Tableau in the Positivist
Revue and La Societé Nouvelle. From 1868 to '73 he edited La Liberté,
in which many a battle for Freethought has been fought.
Ascarate (Gumezindo de), Spanish professor of law at the University of
Madrid and Republican deputy, b. Leon about 1844. One of the ablest
Radical parliamentary orators; in philosophy, he is a follower of
Krause. He has written Social Studies, Self-Government and Monarchy,
and other political works.
Aszo y Del Rio (Ignacio Jordan de), Spanish jurist and naturalist,
b. Saragossa, 1742. Was professor at Madrid, and left many important
works on various branches of science. In his political works he
advocated the abolition of ecclesiastical power. Died 1814.
* Aubert de Verse (Noel) had probably better be omitted, although
accused of blasphemy himself, I find he wrote an answer to Spinoza,
which I have not been able to see.
Auerbach (Berthold), German novelist of Jewish extraction,
b. Nordstetten, 28 Feb. 1812. Devoted to Spinoza, in '41 he published
a life of the philosopher and a translation of his works, having
previously published an historical romance on the same subject. Died
Cannes, 8 Feb. 1882.
* Aymon (Jean). La vie et L'Esprit de M. Benoit Spinoza (La Haye,
1719) was afterwards issued under the famous title Treatise of Three
Impostors.
* Bahrdt (Karl Friedrich). The writings of this enfant terrible of
the German Aufklarung fill 120 volumes.
* Bailey (William Shreeve) was born 10 Feb. 1806. He suffered much
on account of his opinions. Died Nashville, 20 Feb 1886. Photius Fisk
erected a monument to his memory.
* Bancel (Francis Désiré). In his work Les Harangues de l'Exil, 3
vols., 1863, his Freethought views are displayed. He also wrote in
La Revue Critique.
Barnaud (Nicolas), of Crest in Dauphiné. Lived during the latter half
of the sixteenth century. He travelled in France, Spain, and Germany,
and to him is attributed the authorship of a curious work entitled Le
Cabinet du Roy de France, which is largely directed against the clergy.
Barreaux. See des Barreaux.
Barth (Ferdinand), b. Mureck, Steyermark Austria, 1828. In '48 he
attained reputation as orator to working men and took part in the
revolution. When Vienna was retaken he went to Leipzig and Zurich,
where he died in 1850, leaving a profession of his freethought.
Bartrina, Spanish Atheistic poet, b. Barcelona, 1852, where he died
in 1880.
Bedingfield (Richard, W. T.), Pantheistic writer, b. May, 1823,
wrote in National Reformer as B.T.W.R., established Freelight,
'70. Died 14 Feb. 1876.
* Berigardus (Claudius), b. 15 Aug. 1578.
* Bertillon (Louis Adolphe). In a letter to Bp. Dupanloup, April, '68,
he said, You hope to die a Catholic, I hope to die a Freethinker. Died
1883.
* Berwick (George J.) M.D., Dr. Berwick, I am informed, was the author
of the tracts issued by Thomas Scott of Ramsgate with the signature of
"Presbyter Anglicanus."
Blein (F. A. A.), Baron, French author of Essais Philosophiques,
Paris, 1843.
Blum (Robert), German patriot and orator, b. Cologne, 10 Nov. 1807. He
took an active part in progressive political and religious movements,
and published the Christmas Tree and other publications. In '48 he
became deputy to the Frankfort Parliament and head of the Republican
party. He was one of the promoters at the insurrection of Vienna,
and showed great bravery in the fights of the students with the
troops. Shot at Vienna, 9 Nov. 1848.
* Blumenfleld (J. C.), this name I suspect to be a pseudonym.
Bolin (A. W.), a philosophic writer of Finland, b. 2 Aug. 1835. Studied
at Helsingford, '52, and became Doctor of Philosophy in '66, and
Professor in '73. He has written on the Freedom of the Will, The
Political Doctrines of Philosophy, etc. A subject of Russian Finland;
he has been repeatedly troubled by the authorities for his radical
views on religious questions.
Bolivar (Ignacio), Spanish professor of natural history at the
University of Madrid, and one of the introducers of Darwinian ideas.
Boppe (Herman C.), editor of Freidenker of Milwaukee, U.S.A.
Borsari (Ferdinand), Italian geographer, b. Naples, author of a work
of the literature of American aborigines, and a zealous propagator
of Freethought.
Bostrom (Christopher Jacob), Swedish Professor at Upsala, b. 4
Jan. 1797. Besides many philosophical works, published trenchant
criticism of the Christian hell creed. Died 22 March, 1866.
Boucher (E. Martin), b. Beaulieu 1809. Conducted the Rationaliste
at Geneva, where he died 1882. His work Search for the Truth was
published at Avignon, 1884.
Bourneville (Magloire Désir), French deputy and physician,
b. Garancières, 21 Oct. 1840. Studied medicine at Paris, and in '79
was appointed physician to the asylum of Bicêtre. He was Municipal
Councillor of Paris from '76 to '83. On the death of Louis Blanc he
was elected deputy in his place. Wrote Science and Miracle, '75;
Hysteria in History, '76; and a discourse on Etienne Dolet at the
erection of the statue to that martyr, 18 May 1889.
Boutteville (Marc Lucien), French writer, professor at the Lycee
Bonaparte. Wrote to Dupanloup on his pamphlet against Atheism, 1867;
wrote in La Pensée Nouvelle, '68; is author of a large and able work
on the Morality of the Church and Natural Morality, '66; and has
edited the posthumous works of Proudhon, 1870.
* Bovio (Giovanni), b. Trani, 1838, Dr. of law and advocate. Author
of a dramatic piece, Cristo alla festa di Purim, and of a History
of Law in Italy. Signor Bovio delivered the address at unveiling the
monument to Bruno at Rome, 9 June, 1889.
Boyer. See Argens.
* Bradlaugh (Charles), M.P. In April, 1889, he introduced a Bill to
repeal the Blasphemy Laws.
Braga (Teofilo), Portuguese Positivist, b. 24 Feb. 1843. Educated
at Coimbra. Has written many poems, and a History of Portuguese
Literature. Is one of the Republican leaders.
Branting (Hjalmar), Swedish Socialist, b. 1860. Sentenced in '88
to three months' imprisonment for blasphemy in his paper Social
Democraten.
Braun (Eugen), Dr. See F. W. Ghillany.
Braun (Wilhelm von), Swedish humoristic poet, b. 1813. He satirised
many of the Bible stories. Died 1860.
Brewer (Ebenezer Cobham), English author. Has written numerous school
books, and compiled a Dictionary of Miracles, 1884.
Brismee (Desiré), Belgian printer, b. Ghent, 27 July, 1822. As editor
of Le Drapeau he underwent eighteen months' imprisonment. The principle
founder of Les Solidaires, he was the life-long secretary of that
society, and his annual reports are a valuable contribution towards
the history of Freethought in Belgium. An eloquent speaker, many of
his Freethought orations were printed in La Tribune du Peuple. Died
at Brussels 18 Feb. 1888.
* Brothier (Léon). Died about 1874.
* Brown (G. W.) Dr. Brown's new work is published at Rockford,
Illinois, and entitled Researches in Jewish History, including the rise
and development of Zoroastrianism and the derivation of Christianity.
* Bruno (Giordano), b. Nola, 21 March, 1548. The Avisso di Roma
of 19 Feb. 1600, records the fact of his being burnt, and that he
died impenitent. Signor Mariotti, State Secretary to the Minister
of Public Instruction, has found a document proving that Bruno was
stripped naked, bound to a pole, and burnt alive, and that he bore
his martyrdom with great fortitude.
Buen (Odon de), Spanish writer on Las Dominicales, of Madrid,
b. Aragon, 1884. Professor of Natural History at the University of
Barcelona. Has written an account of a scientific expedition From
Christiania to Treggurt, has translated Memoirs of Garibaldi. He
married civilly the daughter of F. Lozano, and was delegate to the
Paris Freethought Conference, 1889.
Calderon (Alfredo), Spanish journalist and lawyer, b. 1852. He edits
La Justicia. Has written several books on law.
Calderon (Lauresmo), Professor of Chemistry in the University of
Madrid, b. 1848. Is a propagator of Darwinian ideas.
Calderon (Salvador), Spanish geologist and naturalist, b. 1846;
professor at the University of Seville. Has made scientific travels
in Central America, and written largely on geological subjects.
Calvo (Rafael), Spanish actor and dramatic author, b. 1852. A
pronounced Republican and Freethinker.
* Canestrini (Giovanni), b. Revo (Trente), 26 Dec. 1835.
Cassels (Walter Richard), a nephew of Dr. Pusey, is the author of
Supernatural Religion, a critical examination of the worth of the
Gospels (two vols. 1874 and three '79). Has written under his own name
Eidolon and other poems, 1850, and Poems, '56. In '89 he published
A Reply to Dr. Lightfoot's Essays.
Castro (Fernando), Spanish philosopher and historian. He was a
priest, and on his death-bed confessed himself a Freethinker, and
had a secular burial. Died about 1874, aged 60 years.
Cavia (Mariano), Spanish journalist and critic, b. 1859, editor of
the Liberal of Madrid.
* Coke (Henry), author of Creeds of the Day, is the third son of the
first Earl of Leicester, and was born 3 Jan. 1827. He served in the
navy during the first China War, 1840-42. Published accounts of the
siege of Vienna, '48, at which he was present, also "Ride over Rocky
Mountains," which he accomplished with great hardships in '50. Was
private secretary to Mr. Horsman when Chief Secretary for Ireland in
'54-'58. Married Lady K. Egerton, 1861.
Cornette (Henri Arthur Marie), Belgian professor of Flemish literature
at Antwerp, b. Bruges, 27 March, 1852. A writer in L'Avenir of
Brussels and the Revue Socialite, he has published separate works
on Freemasonry, 1878; Pessimism and Socialism, '80; Freethought
Darwinism, etc.
Curros (Enriquez), living Spanish poet, who was prosecuted by the
Bishop of Santiago, of Galicia, for his collection of poems entitled
Airs of my Country, but he was acquitted by the jury.
Czerski (Johannes), German reformer, b. Warlubien, West Prussia, 12
May, 1813. He became a Catholic priest in '44, broke with the Church,
associated himself with Ronge, married, and was excommunicated. Has
written several works against Roman Catholicism, and is still living
at Schneidemükl-Posen.
D'Ercole (Pasquale), Italian professor of philosophy in the University
of Turin, author of a work on Christian Theism, in which he holds
that the principles of philosophic Theism are undemonstrated and at
variance both with reality and with themselves.
Deschanel (Emile Auguste), French senator, b. Paris, 19 Nov. 1819. He
wrote in the Revue Independante, Revue des Deux Mondes and Liberté de
Penser; for writing against clericalism in the last he was deprived
of his chair. After 2 Dec. he went to Belgium. He has been Professor
of Modern Literature at the College of France, and written many
important works.
Desnoiresterres (Gustave le Brisoys), Frenchman of letters,
b. Bayeux, 20 June, 1817, author of Epicurienes et Lettres XVII. and
XVIII. Siècles, 1881, and Voltaire et la Société Française au
XVIII. Siècle, an important work in eight vols.
* Desraimes (Maria), b. 15 Aug. 1835.
Diogenes (Apolloinates), a Cretan, natural philosopher, who lived
in the fifth century B.C. He is supposed to have got into trouble at
Athens through his philosophical opinions being considered dangerous to
the State. He held that nothing was produced from nothing or reduced
to nothing; that the earth was round and had received its shape from
whirling. He made no distinction between mind and matter.
Donius (Augustinus), a Materialist, referred to by Bacon. His work,
De Natura Dominis, in two books, 1581, refers the power of the spirit,
to motion. The title of his second book is "Omnes operationes spiritus
esse motum et semum."
Dosamantes (Jesus Ceballos), Mexican philosopher; author of works on
Absolute Perfection, Mexico, 1888, and Modern Pharisees and Sadducees
(mystics and materialists), '89.
Druskowitz (Helene), Dr., b. Vienna, 2 May, 1858. Miss Druskowitz is
Doctor of philosophy at Dresden, and has written a life of Shelley,
Berlin, '84; a little book on Freewill, and The New Doctrines, '83.
Dufay (Henri), author of La Legende du Christ, 1880.
Duller (Eduard), German poet and historian, b. Vienna, 18 Nov. 1809. He
wrote a History of the Jesuits (Leipsic, '40) and The Men of the People
(Frankfort, '47-'50). Died at Wiesbaden, 24 July, 1853.
* Du Marsais (César Chesneau). He edited Mirabaud's anonymous work
on The World and its Antiquity and The Soul and its Immortality,
Londres, 1751.
* Fellowes (R.) Graduated B.A. at Oxford 1796, M.A. 1801. Died 6
Feb. 1847.
Figueras-y-Moracas (Estanilas), Spanish statesman and orator,
b. Barcelona, 13 Nov. 1810. Studied law and soon manifested Republican
opinions. In '51 he was elected to the Cortes, was exiled in '66, but
returned in '68. He fought the candidature of the Duc de Montpensiér in
'69, and became President of the Spanish Republic 12 Feb. '73. Died
poor in 1879, and was buried without religious ceremony, according
to his wish.
Fitzgerald (Edward), English poet and translator, b. near Woodbridge,
Suffolk, 31 March, 1809. Educated at Cambridge and took his degree in
'30. He lived the life of a recluse, and produced a fine translation
of Calderon. His fame rests securely on his fine rendering of the
Quatrains of Omar Khayyam. Died 14 June, 1883.
Galletti (Baldassare), cavalier Pantheist of Palermo. Has translated
Feuerbach on Death and Immortality, and also translated from
Morin. Died Rome, 18 Feb. 1887.
Ganeval (Louis), French professor in Egypt, b. Veziat, 1815, author
of a work on Egypt and Jesus devant l'histoire n'a jamais vécu. The
first part, published in '74, was prohibited in France, and the second
part was published at Geneva in '79.
Garrido (Fernando), Spanish writer, author of Memoirs of a Sceptic,
Cadiz 1843, a work on Contemporary Spain, published at Brussels in
'62, The Jesuits, and a large History of Political and Religious
Persecutions, a work rendered into English in conjunction with
C. B. Cayley. Died at Cordova in 1884.
Gerling (Fr. Wilhelm), German author of Letter of a Materialist
to an Idealist, Berlin 1888, to which Frau Hedwig Henrich Wilhelmi
contributes a preface.
Geroult de Pival, French librarian at Rouen; probably the author of
Doutes sur la Religion, Londres, 1767. Died at Paris about 1772.
Goffin (Nicolas), founder of the Society La Libre of Liége and
President of La Libre Pensée of Brussels, and one of the General
Council of the International Federation of Freethinkers. Died 23
May, 1884.
Goldhawke (J. H.), author of the Solar Allegories, proving that the
greater number of personages mentioned in the Old and New Testaments
are allegorical beings, Calcutta 1853.
Gorani (Giuseppe), count, b. Milan, 1744. He was intimate with
Beccaria, D'Holbach, and Diderot. He wrote a treatise on Despotism,
published anonymously, 1770; defended the French Revolution and was
made a French citizen. Died poor at Geneva, 12 Dec. 1819.
Govett (Frank), author of the Pains of Life, 1889, a pessimistic
reply to Sir J. Lubbock's Pleasures of Life. Mr. Govett rejects the
consolations of religion.
Guimet (Etienne Emile), French traveller, musician, anthropologist
and philanthropist, b. Lyons, 2 June, 1836, the son of the inventor
of ultramarine, whose business he continued. He has visited most
parts of the world and formed a collection of objects illustrating
religions. These he formed into a museum in his native town, where he
also founded a library and a school for Oriental languages. This fine
museum which cost several million francs, he presented to his country,
and it is now at Paris, where M. Guimet acts as curator. In 1880 he
began publishing Annales du Musée Guimet, in which original articles
appear on Oriental Religions. He has also written many works upon his
travels. He attended the banquet in connection with the International
Congress of Freethinkers at Paris, 1889.
Guynemer (A. M. A. de), French author of a dictionary of astronomy,
1852, and an anonymous unbelievers' dictionary, '69, in which many
points of theology are discussed in alphabetical order.
Hamerling (Robert), German poet, b. Kirchberg am Wald, 24 March,
1830. Author of many fine poems, of which we mention Ahasuerus in Rome
'66. The King of Sion; Danton and Robespierre a tragedy. He translated
Leopardis' poems '86. Died at Gratz, 13 July, 1889.
Heyse (Paul Johann Ludwig), German poet and novelist, b. Berlin,
15 March, 1830. Educated at the University, after travelling to
Switzerland and Italy he settled at Munich in '54. Has produced many
popular plays and romances, of which we specially mention The Children
of the World, '73, a novel describing social and religious life of
Germany at the present day, and In Paradise, 1875.
Hicks (L. E.) American geologist, author of A Critique of Design
Arguments. Boston, 1883.
Hitchman (William), English physician, b. Northleach, Gloucestershire,
1819, became M.R.C.S. in '41, M.D. at Erlangen, Bavaria. He established
Freelight, and wrote a pamphlet, Fifty Years of Freethought. Died 1888.
Hoeffding (Harald), Dr., Professor of Philosophy at the University of
Copenhagen, b. Copenhagen, 1843. Has been professor since '83. Is
absolutely free in his opinion and has published works on the newer
philosophy in Germany, '72, and in England, '74. In the latter work
special attention is devoted to the works of Mill and Spencer. German
editions have been published of his works Grundlage der humanen
Ethik (Basis of Human Ethics '80), Psychologie im Umriss (Outlines
of Psychology '87), and Ethik 1888.
Holst (Nils Olaf), Swedish geologist, b. 1846. Chairman of the Swedish
Society for Religious Liberty.
Ignell (Nils), Swedish rationalist, b. 12 July, 1806. Brought
up as a priest, his free views gave great offence. He translated
Renan's Life of Jesus, and did much to arouse opposition to orthodox
Christianity. Died at Stockholm, 3 June, 1864.
Jacobsen (Jens Peter), Danish novelist and botanist, b. Thistede,
7 April, 1847. He did much to spread Darwinian views in Scandinavia,
translating the Origin of Species and Descent of Man. Among his
novels we may name Fru Marie Grubbe, scenes from the XVII. century,
and Niels Lyhne, in which he develops the philosophy of Atheism. This
able young writer died at his birth place, 3 April 1885.
Kleist (Heinrich von), German poet, b. Frankfurt-on-Oder, 18
Oct. 1777. Left an orphan at eleven, he enlisted in the army in 1795,
quitted it in four years and took to study. Kant's Philosophy made
him a complete sceptic. In 1800 he went to Paris to teach Kantian
philosophy, but the results were not encouraging. Committed suicide
together with a lady, near Potsdam, 21 Nov. 1811. Kleist is chiefly
known by his dramas and a collection of tales.
Letourneau (Charles Jean Marie), French scientist, b. Auray
(Morbihan), 1831. Educated as physician. He wrote in La Pensée
Nouvelle, and has published Physiology of the Passions, '68; Biology,
'75, translated into English by W. Maccall; Science and Materialism,
'79; Sociology based on Ethnography, '80; and the Evolution of
Marriage and the Family, '85. He has also translated Büchner's Man
According to Science, Light and Life and Mental Life of Animals,
Haeckel's History of Creation, Letters of a Traveller in India,
and Herzen's Physiology of the Will.
Lippert (Julius), learned German author of works on Soul Worship,
Berlin, 1881; The Universal History of Priesthoods, '83; and an
important Culture History of Mankind, '86-7.
Lloyd (William Watkiss), author of Christianity in the Cartoons,
London 1865, in which he criticises Rafael and the New Testament side
by side. He has also written The Age of Pericles, and several works
on Shakespeare.
Lucian, witty Greek writer, b. of poor parents, Samosata, on
the Euphrates, and flourished in the reign of Marcus Aurelius and
Commodus. He was made a sculptor, but applied himself to rhetoric. He
travelled much, and at Athens was intimate with Demonax. His principal
works are dialogues, full of wit, humor, and satire, often directed
against the gods. According to Suidas he was named the Blasphemer,
and torn to pieces by dogs for his impiety, but on this no reliance
can be placed. On the ground of the dialogue Philopatris, he has
been supposed an apostate Christian, but it is uncertain if that
piece is genuine. It is certain that he was sceptical, truth-loving,
and an enemy of the superstition of the time which he depicts in his
account of Alexander, the false prophet.
Maglia (Adolfo de), Spanish journalist, b. Valencia, 3 June,
1859, began writing in La Tronada at Barcelona, and afterwards
published L'Union Republicana. He founded the Freethinking group
"El Independiente" and edits El Clamor Setabense and El Pueblo
Soberano. Was secretary for Spain at the Anticlerical Congress at Rome
in '85, and in '89 at Paris. During this year he has been condemned
to six years' imprisonment and a fine of 4,000 francs for attacking
Leo XIII. and the Catholic dogmas.
disciples, whom he conducted from faith to scepticism. He was the most
eminent predecessor of Ibn Roschd or Averroës. Died Oct.-Nov. 931. His
works were publicly burned at Seville.
Mata (Pedro), Spanish physician, professor at the University of
Madrid. Author of a poem, Glory and Martyrdom, 1851; a Treatise on
Human Reason, '58-64; and on Moral Liberty and Free Will, '68.
Mendizabal (Juan Alvarez), Spanish Liberal statesman, b. Cadiz,
1790. Was minister during the reign of Cristina, and contributed
to the subjugation of the clerical party. He abolished the religious
orders and proclaimed their goods as national property. Died at Madrid,
3 Nov. 1853.
* Meredith (Evan Powell), b. 1811. Educated at Pontypool College, he
became a Baptist minister, and was an eloquent preacher in the Welsh
tongue. He translated the Bible into Welsh. Investigation into the
claims of Christianity made him resign his ministry. In his Prophet
of Nazareth he mentioned a purpose of writing a work on the gospels,
but it never appeared. He died at Monmouth 23 July, 1889.
Miralta (Constancio), the pen name of a popular Spanish writer,
b. about 1849. Has been a priest and doctor of theology, and is one
of the writers on Las Dominicales. His most notable works are Memoirs
of a Poor Clerical, The Secrets of Confession, and The Sacrament
Exposed. His work on The Doctrine of Catholicism upon Matrimony has
greatly encouraged civil marriages.
Moraita (Miguel), Spanish historian, b. about 1845. Is Professor
of History at Madrid, and one of the most ardent enemies of
clericalism. Has written many works, including a voluminous History
of Spain. In '84 he made a discourse at the University against
the pretended antiquity of the Mosaic legends, which caused his
excommunication by several bishops. He was supported by the students,
against whom the military were employed. He is Grand Master of the
Spanish Freemasons.
Moya (Francisco Xavier), Spanish statistician, b. about 1825. Was
deputy to the Cortes of 1869, and has written several works on the
infallibility of the Pope and on the temporal power.
Nakens (José), Spanish journalist, b. 1846. Founder and editor of El
Motin, a Republican and Freethought paper of Madrid, in connection
with which there is a library, in which he has written La Piqueta--the
Pick-axe.
Nees Von Esenbeck (Christian Gottfried), German naturalist,
b. Odenwald, 14 Feb. 1776. He became a doctor of medicine, and was
Professor of Botany at Bohn, 1819, and Breslau, '31. He was leader of
the free religious movement in Silesia, and in '48, took part in the
political agitations, and was deprived of his chair. Wrote several
works on natural philosophy. Died at Breslau, 16 March, 1858.
Nyblaus (Claes Gudmund), Swedish bookseller, b. 1817, has published
some anti-Christian pamphlets.
Offen (Benjamin), American lecturer, b. England, 1772. He emigrated to
America and became lecturer to the Society of Moral Philanthropists at
Tammany Hall, New York, and was connected With the Free Discussion
Society. He wrote A Legacy to the Friends of Free Discussion, a
critical review of the Bible. Died at New York, 12 May, 1848.
Palmaer (Bernhard Henrik), Swedish satirist, b. 21 Aug. 1801. Author of
The Last Judgment in the Crow Corner. Died at Linkoping, 7 July, 1854.
Panizza (Mario). Italian physiologist and philosopher; author of a
materialist work on The Philosophy of the Nervous System, Rome, 1887.
Perez Galdos (Benito), eminent living Spanish novelist, b. Canary
Islands, lived since his youth in Madrid. Of his novels we mention
Gloria, which has been translated into English, and La Familia
de Leon Roch, 1878, in which he stoutly attacks clericalism and
religious intolerance. He has also written Episodes nacionales,
and many historical novels.
Regenbrecht (Michael Eduard), German rationalist, b. Brannsberg,
1792. He left the Church with Ronge, and became leader of the free
religious movement at Breslau, where he died 9 June, 1849.
Robert (Roberto). Spanish anti-clerical satirist, b. 1817. Became
famous by his mordant style, his most celebrated works being The
Rogues of Antonio, The Times of Mari Casania, The Skimmer of the
Centuries. Died in 1870.
Rupp (Julius), German reformer, b. Königsberg, 13 Aug. 1809. Studied
philosophy and theology, and became in '42 a minister. He protested
against the creeds, and became leader of the Free-religious movement
in East Prussia.
Ryberg (Y. E.), Swedish merchant captain, b. 16 Oct. 1828. He has
translated several of Mr. Bradlaugh's pamphlets and other secular
literature.
Sachse (Heinrich Ernst), German atheist, b. 1812. At Magdeburg he
did much to demolish the remains of theism in the Free-religious
communities. Died 1883.
Sales y Ferre (Manuel), Spanish scientist, b. about 1839. Professor
at the University of Seville. Has published several works on geology
and prehistoric times.
Schneider (Georg Heinrich), German naturalist, b. Mannheim,
1854. Author of The Human Will from the standpoint of the New
Development Theory (Berlin, 1882), and other works.
Schreiner (Olive), the daughter of a German missionary in South
Africa. Authoress of "The Story of an African Farm," 1883.
Serre (... de la), author of an Examination of Religion, attributed to
Saint Evremond, 1745. It was condemned to be burnt by the Parliament
of Paris.
Suner y Capderila. Spanish physician of Barcelona, b. 1828. Became
deputy to the Cortes in 1829, and is famous for his discourses
against Catholicism.
Tocco (Felice), Italian philosopher and anthropologist, b. Catanzaro,
12 Sept. 1845, and studied at the University of Naples and Bologna,
and became Professor of Philosophy at Pisa. He wrote in the
Rivista Bolognese on Leopardi, and on "Positivism" in the Rivista
Contemporanea. He has published works on A. Bain's Theory of Sensation,
'72; Thoughts on the History of Philosophy, '77; The Heresy of the
Middle Ages, '84; and Giordano Bruno, '86.
Tommasi (Salvatore), Italian evolutionist, author of a work on
Evolution, Science, and Naturalism, Naples 1877, and a little pamphlet
in commemoration of Darwin, '82.
Tubino (Francisco Maria), Spanish positivist, b. Seville, 1838, took
part in Garibaldi's campaign in Sicily, and has contributed to the
Rivista Europea.
Tuthill (Charles A. H.), author of The Origin and Development of
Christian Dogma, London, 1889.
Vernial (Paul), French doctor and member of the Anthropological
Society of Paris, author of a work on the Origin of Man, 1881.
Wheeler (Joseph Mazzini), atheist, b. London, 24 Jan., 1850. Converted
from Christianity by reading Newman, Mill, Darwin, Spencer, etc. Has
contributed to the National Reformer Secularist, Secular Chronicle,
Liberal, Progress, and Freethinker which he has sub-edited since
1882, using occasionally the signatures "Laon," "Lucianus" and other
pseudonyms. Has published Frauds and Follies of the Fathers '88,
Footsteps of the Past, a collection of essays in anthropology and
comparative religion '86; and Crimes of Christianity, written in
conjunction with G. W. Foote, with whom he has also edited Sepher
Toldoth Jeshu. The compiler of the present work is a willing drudge
in the cause he loves, and hopes to empty many an inkstand in the
service of Freethought.