A Biographical Dictionary of Freethinkers of All Ages and Nations Part 14

Goethe (Johann Wolfgang von), Germany's greatest poet, b. Frankfort-on-Main, 28 Aug. 1749. He records that early in his seventh year (1 Nov. 1758) the great Lisbon earthquake filled his mind with religious doubt. Before he was nine he could write several languages. Educated at home until sixteen, he then went to Leipsic University. At Strasburg he became acquainted with Herder, who directed his attention to Shakespeare. He took the degree of doctor in 1771, and in the same year composed his drama "Goetz von Berlichingen." He went to Wetzlar, where he wrote Sorrows of Werther, 1774, which at once made him famous. He was invited to the court of the Duke of Saxe-Weimar and loaded with honors, becoming the centre of a galaxy of distinguished men. Here he brought out the works of Schiller and his own dramas, of which Faust is the greatest. His chief prose work is Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship. His works are voluminous. He declared himself "decidedly non-Christian," and said his objects of hate were "the cross and bugs." He was averse to abstractions and refused to recognise a Deity distinct from the world. In philosophy he followed Spinoza, and he disliked and discountenanced the popular creed. Writing to Lavater in 1772 he said: "You look upon the gospel as it stands as the divinest truth: but even a voice from heaven would not convince me that water burns and fire quenches, that a woman conceives without a man, and that a dead man can rise again. To you, nothing is more beautiful than the Gospel; to me, a thousand written pages of ancient and modern inspired men are equally beautiful." Goethe was opposed to asceticism, and Pfleiderer admits "stood in opposition to Christianity not merely on points of theological form, but to a certain extent on points of substance too." Goethe devoted much attention to science, and he attempted to explain the metamorphosis of plants on evolutionary principles in 1790. Died 22 March, 1832.

Goldstuecker (Theodor), Sanskrit scholar, of Jewish birth, but a Freethinker by conviction, b. Konigsberg 18 Jan. 1821; studied at Bonn under Schlegel and La.s.sen, and at Paris under Burnouf. Establishing himself at Berlin, he was engaged as tutor in the University and a.s.sisted Humboldt in the matter of Hindu philosophy in the Cosmos. A democrat in politics, he left Berlin at the reaction of '49 and came to England, where he a.s.sisted Professor Wilson in preparing his Sanskrit-English Dictionary. He contributed important articles on Indian literature to the Westminster Review, the Reader, the Athenaeum and Chambers' Encyclopaedia. Died in London, 6 March, 1872.

Goldziher (Ignacz), Hungarian Orientalist, b. Stuhlweissenburg, 1850. Is since 1876 Doctor of Semitic Philology in Buda-pesth; is author of Mythology Among the Hebrews, which has been translated by Russell Martineau, '77, and has written many studies on Semitic theology and literature.

Gordon (Thomas), Scotch Deist and political reformer, was b. Kells, Kirkcudbright, about 1684, but settled early in London, where he supported himself as a teacher and writer. He first distinguished himself by two pamphlets in the Bangorian controversy, which recommended him to Trenchard, to whom he became amanuensis, and with whom he published Cato's Letters and a periodical ent.i.tled The Independent Whig, which he continued some years after Trenchard's death, marrying that writer's widow. He wrote many pamphlets, and translated from Barbeyrac The Spirit of the Ecclesiastics of All Ages. He also translated the histories of Tacitus and Sall.u.s.t. He died 28 July, 1750, leaving behind him posthumous works ent.i.tled A Cordial for Low Spirits and The Pillars of Priestcraft and Orthodoxy Shaken.

Gorlaeus (David), a Dutch philosopher, b. at Utrecht, towards the end of the sixteenth century, has been accused of Atheism on account of his speculations in a work published after his death ent.i.tled Exercitationes Philosophicae, Leyden 1620.

Govea or Gouvea [Latin Govea.n.u.s] (Antonio), Portugese jurist and poet, b. 1505, studied in France and gained great reputation by his legal writings. Calvin cla.s.ses him with Dolet, Rabelais, and Des Periers, as an Atheist and mocker. He wrote elegant Latin poems. Died at Turin, 5 March, 1565.

Gratiolet (Louis-Pierre), French naturalist, b. Sainte Foy, 6 July 1815, noted for his researches on the comparative anatomy of the brain. Died at Paris 15 Feb. 1865.

Graves (Kersey), American, author of The Biography of Satan, 1865, and The World's Sixteen Crucified Saviors, 1876. Works of some vogue, but little value.

Gray (Asa), American naturalist, b. 18 Nov. 1810, Paris, Oneida Co., New York. Studied at Fairfield and became physician 1831. Wrote Elements of Botany, 1836, became Professor of Nat. Hist. at Harvard, and was the first to introduce Darwinism to America. Wrote an Examination of Darwin's Treatise 1861. Succeeded Aga.s.siz as Governor of Smithsonian Inst.i.tute, and worked on American Flora. Died at Cambridge, Ma.s.s., 30 Jan. 1888.

Green (H. L.), American Freethinker, b. 18 Feb. 1828. Edits the Freethinker's Magazine published at Buffalo, New York.

Greg (William Rathbone), English Writer, b. Manchester 1809. Educated at Edinburgh university, he became attracted to economic studies and literary pursuits. He was one of the founders of the Manchester Statistical Society, a warm supporter of the Anti-Corn Law League, and author of one of its prize essays. In '40 he wrote on Efforts for the Extinction of the African Slave Trade. In '50 he published his Creed of Christendom, which has gone through eight editions, and in 1872 his Enigmas of Life, of which there were thirteen editions in his life. He published also Essays on Political and Social Science, and was a regular contributor to the Pall Mall Gazette. His works exhibit a careful yet bold thinker and close reasoner. Died at Wimbledon 15 Nov. 1881.

Grenier (Pierre Jules), French Positivist, b. Beaumont, Perigord, 1838, author of a medical examination of the doctrine of free will, '68, which drew out letter from Mgr. Dupanloup, Bishop of Orleans, imploring him to repudiate his impious doctrines. Also author of Aphorisms on the First Principles of Sociology, 1873.

"Grile (Dod)," pen name of Ambrose Bierce, American humorist, who wrote on the San Francisco News-Letter. His Nuggets and Dust and Fiend's Delight, were blasphemous; has also written in Fun, and published Cobwebs from an Empty Skull, 1873.

Grimm (Friedrich Melchior von), Baron. German philosophic writer in French, b. Ratisbon, 26 Dec. 1723. Going to France he became acquainted with D'Holbach and with Rousseau, who was at first his friend, but afterwards his enemy. He became secretary to the Duke of Orleans, and wrote in conjunction with Diderot and Raynal caustic literary bulletins containing criticisms on French literature and art. In 1776 he was envoy from the Duke of Saxe Gotha to the French Court, and after the French Revolution was appointed by Catherine of Russia her minister at Hamburg. Grimm died at Gotha, 19 Dec. 1807. He is chiefly known by his literary correspondence with Diderot published in seventeen vols. 1812-1813.

Gringore (Pierre), French poet and dramatist, b. about 1475, satirised the pope and clergy as well as the early reformers. Died about 1544.

Grisebach (Eduard), German writer, b. Gottingen 9 Oct. 1845. Studied law, but entered the service of the State and became Consul at Bucharest, Petersburg, Milan and Hayti. Has written many poems, of which the best known is The New Tanhauser, first published anonymously in '69, and followed by Tanhauser in Rome, '75. Has also translated Kin Ku Ki Kuan, Chinese novels. Is a follower of Schopenhauer, whose bibliography he has compiled, 1888.

Grote (George), the historian of Greece, b. near Beckenham, Kent, 17 Nov. 1794. Descended from a Dutch family. He was educated for the employment of a banker and was put to business at the age of sixteen. He was however addicted to literary pursuits, and became a friend and disciple of James Mill and Jeremy Bentham. In 1820 he married a cultured lady, Harriet Lewin, and in '22 his a.n.a.lysis of the Influence of Natural Religion was published by Carlile, under the pen name of Philip Beauchamp. He also wrote in the Westminster Review. In '33 he was elected as Radical M.P. for the City of London and retained his seat till '41. He was chiefly known in Parliament for his advocacy of the ballot. In '46-'56 he published his famous History of Greece, which cost him the best years of his life; this was followed by Plato and the other Companions of Socrates. His review of J. S. Mill's Examination of Sir William Hamilton's Philosophy, '61, showed he retained his Freethought until the end of his life. He died 18 June '71, and was buried in Westminster Abbey.

Grote (Harriet) nee Lewin, wife of the above, b. 1792, shared in his opinions and wrote his life. Died 29 Dec. 1878.

Gruen (Karl) German author, b. 30 Sept. 1817, Ludenschied, Westphalia, studied at Bonn and Berlin. In '44 he came to Paris, was a friend to Proudhon and translated his Philosophy of Misery, was arrested in '49 and condemned to exile; lived at Brussels till '62, when he was made professor at Frankfort. He became professor of English at the College of Colmar, established a Radical journal the Mannheim Evening News and he wrote Biographical Studies of Schiller, '44, and Feuerbach, '71. A Culture History of the 16th-17th Centuries, and The Philosophy of the Present, '76. Died at Vienna 17 February, 1887.

Gruet (Jacques), Swiss Freethinker, tortured and put to death for blasphemy by order of Calvin at Geneva, 26 July, 1547. After his death papers were found in his possession directed against religion. They were burnt by the common hangman, April, 1550.

Gruyer (Louis Auguste Jean Francois-Philippe), Belgian philosopher, b. Brussels, 15 Nov. 1778. He wrote an Essay of Physical Philosophy, 1828, Tablettes Philosophiques, '42. Principles of Physical Philosophy, '45, etc. He held the atomic doctrine, and that matter was eternal. Died Brussels 15 Oct. 1866.

Guadet (Marguerite Elie), Girondin, b. Saint Emilion (Gironde), 20 July, 1758. He studied at Bordeaux, and became an advocate in '81. He threw himself enthusiastically into the Revolution, and was elected Deputy for the Gironde. His vehement attacks on the Jacobins contributed to the destruction of his party, after which he took refuge, but was arrested and beheaded at Bordeaux, 15 June, 1794.

Gubernatis (Angelo de), see De Gubernatis.

Guepin (Ange), French physician, b. Pontivy, 30 Aug. 1805. He became M.D. in '28. After the revolution of July, '30, Dr. Guepin was made Professor at the School of Medicine at Nantes. He formed the first scientific and philosophical congress, held there in '33. In '48 he became Commissaire of the Republic at Nantes, and in '50 was deprived of his situation. In '54 he published his Philosophy of the Nineteenth Century. After the fall of the Empire, M. Guepin became Prefet of La Loire Inferieure, but had to resign from ill-health. Died at Nantes, 21 May, 1873, and was buried without any religious ceremony.

Gueroult (Adolphe), French author, b. Radepont (Eure), 29 Jan. 1810. Early in life he became a follower of Saint Simon. He wrote to the Journal des Debats, the Republique, Credit and Industrie, and founded l'Opinion National. He was elected to the Legislature in '63, when he advocated the separation of Church and State. Died at Vichy, 21 July, 1872.

Guerra Junqueiro. Portuguese poet, b. 1850. His princ.i.p.al work is a poem on The Death of Don Juan, but he has also written The Death of Jehovah, an a.s.sault upon the Catholic faith from the standpoint of Pantheism. Portuguese critics speak highly of his powers.

Guerrini (Olindo), Italian poet, b. Forli, 4 Oct. 1845. Educated at Ravenna, Turin, and Bologna University; he has written many fine poems under the name of Lorenzo Stecchetti. In the preface to Nova Polemica he declares "Primo di tutto dice, non credo in Dio" ("First of all I say do not believe in G.o.d.")

Gueudeville (Nicolas), French writer, b. Rouen, 1654. He became a Benedictine monk, and was distinguished as a preacher, but the boldness of his opinions drew on him the punishment of his superiors. He escaped to Holland, and publicly abjured Catholicism. He taught literature and philosophy at Rotterdam, wrote the Dialogue of the Baron de la Hontan with an American Savage Amst. 1704, appended to the Travels of La Hontan, 1724, edited by Gueudeville. This dialogue is a bitter criticism of Christian usages. He translated Erasmus's Praise of Folly (1713), More's Utopia (1715), and C. Agrippa, Of the Uncertainty and Vanity of Sciences (1726). Died at the Hague, 1720.

Guichard (Victor), French writer, b. Paris, 15 Aug. 1803. He became Mayor of Sens, and was elected deputy for the Yonne department. He was exiled in '52, but again elected in '71. His princ.i.p.al work is La Liberte de Penser, fin du Pouvoir Spirituel (1868). Died at Paris, 11th Nov. 1884.

Guild (E. E.), b. in Connecticut, 6 May, 1811. In '35 he became a Christian minister, but after numerous debates became turned Universalist. In '44 he published The Universalist Book of Reference, which went through several editions. It was followed by Pro and Con, in which he gives the arguments for and against Christianity.

Guirlando (Giulio) di Treviso. Italian heretic, put to death at Venice for anti-trinitarian heresy, 19 Oct. 1562.

Gundling (Nicolaus Hieronymus), German scholar and Deistic philosopher, b. near Nuremberg, 25 Feb. 1671. He wrote a History of the Philosophy of Morals, 1706, and The Way to Truth, 1713. One of the first German eclectics, he took much from Hobbes and Locke, with whom he derived all ideas from experience. Died at Halle, 16 Dec. 1729.

Gunning (William D.), American scientific professor, b. Bloomingburg, Ohio. Graduated at Oberlin and studied under Aga.s.siz. He wrote Life History of our Planet, Chicago, 1876, and contributed to The Open Court. Died Greeley, Colorado, 8 March, 1888.

Gunst (Dr. Frans Christiaan), Dutch writer and publisher, b. Amsterdam, 19 Aug. 1823. He was intended for a Catholic clergyman; studied at Berne, where he was promoted '47. Returning to Holland he became bookseller and editor at Amsterdam. He was for many years secretary of the City Theatre. Gunst contributed to many periodicals, and became a friend of Junghuhn, with whom he started De Dageraad, the organ of the Dutch Freethinkers, which he edited from '55 to '67. He usually contributed under pseudonyms as "Mephistho" or ([therefore]). He was for many years President of the Independent Lodge of Freemasons, "Post Nubila Lux," and wrote on Adon Hiram, the oldest legend of the Freemasons. He also wrote Wijwater voor Roomsch Katholieken (Holy Water for the Roman Catholics); De Bloedgetuigen der Spaansche Inquisitie (The Martyrs of the Spanish Inquisition, '63); and Heidenen en Jezuieten, eene vergelijking van hunne zedeleer (Pagans and Jesuits, a comparison of their morals, '67). In his life and conversation he was frater gaudens. Died 29 Dec. 1886.

Guyau (Marie Jean), French philosopher, b. 1854, was crowned at the age of 19 by the Inst.i.tute of France for a monograph on Utilitarian morality. In the following year he had charge of a course of philosophy at the Condorcet lycee at Paris. Ill health, brought on by excess of work, obliged him to retire to Mentone, where he occupied himself with literature. His princ.i.p.al works are La Morale d'Epicure (the morality of Epicurus), in relation to present day doctrines, 1878, La Morale Anglaise Contemporaine (Contemporary English Ethics), '79, crowned by the Academy of Moral Sciences. Verses of a philosopher, '81. Esquisse d'une morale sans obligation ni sanction (Sketch of morality without obligation or sanction,) '84, and L'Irreligion de l'Avenir (the Irreligion of the Future) '87. M. Guyau was a follower of M. Fouillee, but all his works bear the impress of profound thought and originality. A chief doctrine is the expansion of life. Died Mentone, 31 March, 1888.

Guyot (Yves), French writer and statesman, b. Dinan, 1843. He wrote with Sigismond Lacroix a Study of the Social Doctrines of Christianity, '73, and a work on morality in the Bibliotheque Materialiste. Elected on the Munic.i.p.al Council of Paris '74-78, he has since been a deputy to the Chamber, and is now a member of the government. He has written the Principles of Social Economy, '84, and many works on that topic; has edited Diderot's La Religieuse and the journals Droits de l'homme and le Bien public.

Gwynne (George), Freethought writer in the Reasoner and National Reformer, under the pen-name of "Aliquis." His reply to J. H. Newman's Grammar of a.s.sent shewed much acuteness. He served the cause both by pen and purse. Died 25 Sept. 1873.

Gyllenborg (Gustaf Fredrik), Count. Swedish poet, b. 6 Dec. 1731, was one of the first members of the Academy of Stockholm and Chancellor of Upsala University. He published satires, fables, odes, etc., among which may be named The Pa.s.sage of the Belt. His opinions were Deistic. Died 30 March, 1808.

Haeckel (Ernst Heinrich Philipp August), German scientist, b. Potsdam, 16 Feb. 1834; studied medicine and science at Wurzburg, Berlin, and Vienna. In '59 he went to Italy and studied zoology at Naples, and two years later was made Professor of Zoology at Jena. Between '66 and '75 he travelled over Europe besides visiting Syria and Egypt, and later he visited India and Ceylon, writing an interesting account of his travels. He is the foremost German supporter of evolution; his Natural History of Creation, '68, having gone through many editions, and been translated into English '76, as have also his Evolution of Man, 2 vols. '79, and Pedigree of Man, '83. Besides numerous monographs and an able work on Cellular Psychology, Professor Haeckel has published important Popular Lectures on Evolution, '78, and on Freedom in Science and Teaching, published with a prefatory note by Professor Huxley, '79.

Hagen (Benjamin Olive), Socialist, b. 25 June, 1791. About the year 1841 his attention was attracted to the Socialists by the abuse they received. Led thus to inquire, he embraced the views of Robert Owen, and was their chief upholder for many years in the town of Derby, where he lived to be upwards of seventy years of age. His wife also deserves mention as an able lady of Freethought views.

Halley (Edmund), eminent English astronomer, known in his lifetime as "the Infidel Mathematician," b. Haggerston, London, 29 Oct. 1656; educated at Oxford. At twenty he had made observations of the planets and of the spots on the sun. In Nov. '76 he went to St. Helena where he prepared his Catalogue of Southern Stars, '79. He also found how to take the sun's parallax by means of the transits of Mercury or Venus. In '78 he was elected a F.R.S. Two years later he made observation on "Halley's comet," and in '83 published his theory of the variation of the magnet. He became a friend of Sir Isaac Newton, whom he persuaded to publish his Principia. In '98 he commanded a scientific expedition to the South Atlantic. In 1713 he was made sec. of the Royal Society and in 1720 Astronomer-royal. He then undertook a task which required nineteen years to perform, viz: to observe the moon throughout an entire revolution of her nodes. He lived to finish this task. Died 14 Jan. 1742. Halley was the first who conceived that fixed stars had a proper motion in s.p.a.ce. Chalmers in his Biographical Dictionary says, "It must be deeply regretted that he cannot be numbered with those ill.u.s.trious characters who thought it not beneath them to be Christians."

Hammon (W.), pseudonym of Turner William, q. v.

Hamond or Hamont (Matthew), English heretic, by trade a ploughwright, of Hethersett, Norfolk, burnt at Norwich, May 1579, for holding "that the New Testament and the Gospel of Christ were pure folly, a human invention, a mere fable." He had previously been set in the pillory and had both his ears cut off.

Hannotin (Emile), French Deist, b. Bar le Duc in 1812, and some time editor of the Journal de la Meuse. Author of New Philosophical Theology, '46; Great Questions, '67; Ten Years of Philosophical Studies, '72; and an Essay on Man, in which he seeks to explain life by sensibility.

Hanson (Sir Richard Davies), Chief Justice of South Australia, b. London, 5 Dec. 1805. He practised as attorney for a short time in London, and wrote for the Globe and Morning Chronicle. In 1830 he took part in the attempt to found a colony in South Australia. In 1851 he became Advocate-General of the colony, and subsequently in 1861 Chief Justice. In 1869 he was knighted. He wrote on Law in Nature 1865, The Jesus of History 1869, and St. Paul 1875. Hanson wrote Letters to and from Rome A.D. 61, 62 and 63. Selected and translated by C.V.S. 1873. Died at Adelaide 10 Mar. 1876.

Hardwicke (Edward Arthur), M.D., eldest son of Junius Hardwicke, F.R.C.S., of Rotherham, Yorks. In '75 he qualified as a surveyor, and in '86 as a physician. For twelve years he was Surgeon Superintendent of the Government Emigration Service. He is an Agnostic of the school of Herbert Spencer, and has contributed to Freethought and scientific periodicals.

Hardwicke (Herbert Junius), M.D., brother of above, b. Sheffield, 26 Jan. 1850. Studied at London, Edinburgh and Paris. In '78 he became a member of the Edinburgh College of Physicians. Next year he was the princ.i.p.al agent in establishing the Sheffield Public Hospital for Skin Diseases. Besides numerous medical works, Dr. Hardwicke set up a press of his own in order to print The Popular Faith Unveiled, the publishers requiring guarantee in consequence of the prosecution of Mr. Foote ('84), and Evolution and Creation ('87). He has contributed to the Agnostic Annual, and has recently written Rambles in Spain, Italy and Morocco ('89).

Harriot (Thomas), English mathematician, b. Oxford, 1560, accompanied Raleigh to Virginia and published an account of the expedition. He was noted for his skill in algebra, and A. Wood says "He was a Deist." Died 21 July 1621.

Harrison (Frederic), M.A., English Positivist, b. London 18 Oct. 1831, educated at London and Oxford, when he was 1st cla.s.s in cla.s.sics. He was called to the bar in '58. He has since been appointed Professor of Jurisprudence and International Law. He has written many important articles in the high-cla.s.s reviews, and has published The Meaning of History, Order and Progress, and on The Choice of Books and Other Literary Pieces, '86, and has translated vol. ii of Comte's Positive Polity. He was one of the founders of the Positivist school, '70, and of Newton Hall in '81. A fine stylist, his addresses and magazine articles bear the stamp of a cultured man of letters.

Hartmann (Karl Robert Eduard), German pantheistic pessimist philosopher, b. Berlin, 23 Feb. 1842. In '58 he entered the Prussian army, but an affection of the knee made him resign in '65. By the publication of his Philosophy of the Unconscious in '69, he became famous, though it was not translated into English until '84. He has since written numerous works of which we name Self-Dissolution of Christianity and The Religion of the Future, '75, The Crisis of Christianity in Modern Theology, '80, The Religious Consciousness of Mankind, '81, and Modern Problems, '86. Latterly Hartmann has turned his attention to the philosophy of politics.