A Biographical Dictionary of Freethinkers of All Ages and Nations Part 36

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 ill.u.s.trating 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 publis.h.i.+ng Annales du Musee 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, Gloucesters.h.i.+re, 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 Pensee Nouvelle, and has published Physiology of the Pa.s.sions, '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 Buchner'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 Wors.h.i.+p, 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 princ.i.p.al works are dialogues, full of wit, humor, and satire, often directed against the G.o.ds. 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 superst.i.tion 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 Averroes. 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 (Jose), 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. Konigsberg, 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. Auth.o.r.ess 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," "Lucia.n.u.s" 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.