A Biographical Dictionary of Freethinkers of All Ages and Nations Part 16

Hon, Le (Henri). See Le Hon.

Hooker (Sir Joseph Dalton), English naturalist, b. 1817. He studied medicine at Glasgow, graduating M.D '39. In '55 he became a.s.sistant-director of Kew Gardens, and from '65-85 sole director. Renowned as a botanist, he was the first eminent man of science to proclaim his adoption of Darwinism.

Hope (Thomas), novelist and antiquarian, b. 1770. Famous for his anonymous Anastasius, or Memories of a Modern Greek, he also wrote an original work on The Origin and Prospects of Man '31. Died at London 3 Feb. 1831.

Houten (Samuel van), Dutch Freethinker, b. Groningen. 17 Feb. 1837; he studied law and became a lawyer in that city. In '69 he was chosen member of the Dutch Parliament. Has published many writings on political economy. In '88 he wrote a book ent.i.tled Das Causalitatgesetz (The Law of Causality).

Houston (George). Was the translator of d'Holbach's Ecce h.o.m.o, first published in Edinburgh in 1799, and sometimes ascribed to Joseph Webb. A second edition was issued in 1813. Houston was prosecuted and was imprisoned two years in Newgate, with a fine of 200. He afterwards went to New York, where he edited the Minerva (1822). In Jan. 1827, he started The Correspondence, which, we believe, was the first weekly Freethought journal published in America. It lasted till July 1828. He also republished Ecce h.o.m.o. Houston helped to establish in America a "Free Press a.s.sociation" and a Society of Free Inquirers.

Hovelacque (Abel), French scientist, b. Paris 14 Nov. 1843. He studied law and made part of the groupe of la Pensee Nouvelle, with a.s.seline, Letourneau, Lefevre, etc. He also studied anthropology under Broca and published many articles in the Revue d'Anthropologie. He founded with Letourneau, Thulie, a.s.seline, etc. The "Bibliotheque des sciences contemporains" and published therein La Linguistique. He also founded with the same the library of anthropological science and published in collaboration with G. Herve a precis of Anthropology and a study of the Negroes of Africa. He has also contributed to the Dictionary of Anthropology. For the "Bibliotheque Materialiste" he wrote a work on Primitive man. He has also published choice extracts from the works of Voltaire, Diderot and Rousseau, a grammar of the Zend language, and a work on the Avesta Zoroaster and Mazdaism. In '78 he was made a member of the munic.i.p.al council of Paris, and in '81 was elected deputy to the chamber where he sits with the autonomist socialist group.

Howdon (John), author of A Rational Investigation of the Principles of Natural Philosophy, Physical and Moral, printed at Haddington, 1840, in which he attacks belief in the Bible.

Huber (Marie), Swiss Deist, b. of Protestant parents, Geneva, 1694. In a work on the System of Theologians, 1731, she opposed the dogma of eternal punishment. In '38 published Letters on the Religion essential to Man. This was translated into English in the same year. Other works show English reading. She translated selections from the Spectator. Died at Lyons, 13 June, 1753.

Hudail (Abul). See Muhammad ibn Hudail (Al Allaf.)

Huet (Coenraad Busken), Dutch writer, b. the Hague, 28 Dec. 1826. He became minister of the Walloon Church at Haarlem, but through his Freethought left the church in '63, and became editor of various newspapers, afterwards living in Paris. He wrote many works of literary value, and published Letters on the Bible, '57, etc. Died 1887.

Hugo (Victor Marie), French poet and novelist, b. Besancon, 26 Feb. 1802. Was first noted for his Odes, published in '21. His dramas "Hernani," '30, and "Marion Delorme," '31, were highly successful. He was admitted into the French Academy in '41, and made a peer in '45. He gave his cordial adhesion to the Republic of '48, and was elected to the a.s.sembly by the voters of Paris. He attacked Louis Napoleon, and after the coup d'etat was proscribed. He first went to Brussels, where he published Napoleon the Little, a biting satire. He afterwards settled at Guernsey, where he remained until the fall of the Empire, producing The Legend of the Ages, '59, Les Miserables, '62, Toilers of the Sea, '69, and other works. After his return to Paris he produced a new series of the Legend of the Ages, The Pope, Religions and Religion, Torquemada, and other poems. He died 22 May, 1885, and it being decided he should have a national funeral, the Pantheon was secularised for that purpose, the cross being removed. Since his death a poem ent.i.tled The End of Satan has been published.

Hugues (Clovis), French Socialist, poet, and deputy, b. Menerbes, 3 Nov. 1850. In youth he desired to become a priest, but under the influence of Hugo left the black business. In '71 he became head of the Communist movement at Ma.r.s.eilles. He was sentenced to three years' imprisonment. In '81 he was elected deputy, and sits on the extreme left.

Humboldt (Friedrich Heinrich Alexander von), ill.u.s.trious German naturalist and traveller, b. Berlin, 14 Sept. 1769. He studied under Heyne and Blumenbach, travelled in Holland, France and England with George Forster, the naturalist, and became director-general of mines. In 1799 he set out to explore South America and Mexico, and in 1804 returned with a rich collection of animals, plants and minerals. Humboldt became a resident of Paris, where he enjoyed the friends.h.i.+p of Lalande, Delambre, Arago, and all the living distinguished French scientists. After numerous important contributions to scientific knowledge, at the age of seventy-four he composed his celebrated Cosmos, the first volume of which appeared in '45 and the fourth in '58. To Varnhagen von Ense he wrote in 1841: "Bruno Bauer has found me pre-adamatically converted. Many years ago I wrote, 'Toutes les religions positives offrent trois parties distinctes; un traite de moeurs partout le meme et tres pur, un reve geologique, et un mythe ou pet.i.t roman historique; le dernier element obtient le plus d'importance.'" Later on he says that Strauss disposes of "the Christian myths." Humboldt was an unwearied student of science, paying no attention to religion, and opposed his brother in regard to his essay On the Province of the Historian, because he considered it to acknowledge the belief in the divine government of the world, which seemed to him as complete a delusion as the hypothesis of a principle of life. He died in Berlin, 6 May, 1859, in his ninetieth year.

Humboldt (Karl Wilhelm von), Prussian statesman and philosopher, b. Potsdam, 22 June, 1767. He was educated by Campe. Went to Paris in 1789, and hailed the revolution with enthusiasm. In '92 he published Ideas on the Organization of the State. He became a friend of Schiller and Goethe, and in 1809 was Minister of Public Instruction. He took part in founding the University of Berlin. He represented Prussia at the Congress of Vienna, '14. He advocated a liberal const.i.tution, but finding the King averse, retired at the end of '19, and devoted himself to the study of comparative philology. He said there were three things he could not comprehend--orthodox piety, romantic love, and music. He died 8 April, 1835. His works were collected and edited by his brother.

Hume (David), philosopher and historian, b. Edinburgh, 26 April, 1711. In 1735 he went to France to study, and there wrote his Treatise on Human Nature, published in 1739. This work then excited no interest friendly or hostile. Hume's Essays Moral and Political appeared in 1742, and in 1752 his Inquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals which of all his writings he considered the best. In 1755 he published his Natural History of Religion, which was furiously attacked by Warburton in an anonymous tract. In 1754 he published the first volume of his History of England, which he did not complete till 1761. He became secretary to the Earl of Hertford, amba.s.sador at Paris, where he was cordially welcomed by the philosophers. He returned in 1766, bringing Rousseau with him. Hume became Under Secretary of State in 1767, and in 1769 retired to Edinburgh, where he died 25 Aug. 1776. After his death his Dialogues on Natural Religion were published, and also some unpublished essays on Suicide, the Immortality of the Soul, etc. Hume's last days were singularly cheerful. His friend, the famous Dr. Adam Smith, considered him "as approaching as nearly to the idea of a perfectly wise and virtuous man as perhaps the nature of human frailty will permit."

Hunt (James), Ph.D., physiologist, b. 1833, was the founder of the Anthropological Society, of which he was the first president, '63. He was the author of the Negro's Place in Nature, a work on Stammering, etc. Died 28 Aug. 1869.

Hunt (James Henry Leigh), poet, essayist and critic, b. Southgate, Middles.e.x, 19 Oct. 1784. was educated with Lamb and Coleridge at Christ's Hospital, London. He joined his brother John in editing first the Sunday News, 1805, and then the Examiner, 1808. They were condemned to pay a fine, each of 500, and to be imprisoned for two years, 1812-14, for a satirical article, in which the prince regent was called an "Adonis of fifty." This imprisonment procured him the friends.h.i.+p of Sh.e.l.ley and Byron, with whom, after editing the Indicator he was a.s.sociated in editing the Liberal. He wrote many choice books of poems and criticisms, and in his Religion of the Heart, '53, repudiates orthodoxy. Died 28 Aug. 1859.

Hutten (Ulrich von), German poet and reformer, b. of n.o.ble family Steckelberg, Hesse Ca.s.sel, 22 April 1488. He was sent to Fulda to become a monk, but fled in 1504 to Erfurt, where he studied humaniora. After some wild adventures he went to Wittenberg in 1510, and Vienna 1512, and also studied at Pavia and Bologna. He returned to Germany in 1517 as a common soldier in the army of Maximilian. His great object was to free his country from sacerdotalism, and most of his writings are satires against the Pope, monks and clergy. Persecution drove him to Switzerland, but the Council of Zurich drove him out of their territory and he died on the isle of Ufnau, Lake Zurich, 29 Aug. 1523.

Hutton (James), Scotch geologist and philosopher, b. at Edinburgh 3 June, 1736. He graduated as M.D. at Leyden in 1749, and investigated the strata of the north of Scotland. He published a dissertation on Light, Heat, and Fire, and in his Theory of the World, 1795, attributes geological phenomena to the action of fire. He also wrote a work ent.i.tled An Investigation of the Principles of Knowledge, the opinions of which, says Chalmers, "abound in sceptical boldness and philosophical infidelity." Died 26 March 1797.

Huxley (Thomas Henry), LL.D., Ph.D., F.R.S., b. Ealing, 4 May, 1825. He studied medicine, and in '46 took M.R.C.S., and was appointed a.s.sistant naval surgeon. His cruises afforded opportunities for his studies of natural history. In '51 he was elected Fellow of the Royal Society, and in '54 was made Professor at the School of Mines. In '60 he lectured on "The Relation of Man to the Lower Animals," and afterwards published Evidence as to Man's Place in Nature (1863). In addition to numerous scientific works, Professor Huxley has written numerous forcible articles, addresses, etc., collected in Lay Sermons, '70; Critiques and Addresses, '73; and American Addresses, '79. A vigorous writer, his Hume in the "English Men of Letters" series is a model of clear exposition. In his controversies with Mr. Gladstone, in his articles on the Evolution of Theology, and in his recent polemic with the Rev. Mr. Wace in the Nineteenth Century, Professor Huxley shows all his freshness, and proves himself as ready in demolis.h.i.+ng theological fictions as in demonstrating scientific facts. He states as his own life aims "The popularising of science and untiring opposition to that ecclesiastical spirit, that clericalism, which in England, as everywhere else, and to whatever denomination it may belong, is the deadly enemy of science."

Hypatia, Pagan philosopher and martyr, b. Alexandria early in the second half of the fourth century. She became a distinguished lecturer and head of the Neo-Platonic school (c. 400). The charms of her eloquence brought many disciples. By a Christian mob, incited by St. Cyril, she was in Lent 415 torn from her chariot, stripped naked, cut with oyster-sh.e.l.ls and finally burnt piecemeal. This true story of Christian persecution has been disguised into a legend related of St. Catherine in the Roman breviary (Nov. 25).

Ibn Bajjat. See Avenpace.

Ibn Ma.s.sara. See Ma.s.sara in Supplement.

Ibn Rushd. See Averroes.

Ibn Sabin. See Sabin.

Ibn Sina. See Avicenna.

Ibn Tofail. See Abu Bakr.

Ibsen (Henrik), an eminent Norwegian dramatist and poet, b. Skien, 20 March, 1828. At first he studied medicine, but he turned his attention to literature. In '52, through the influence of Ole Bull, he became director of the theatre at Bergen, for which he wrote a great deal. From '57 to '63 he directed the theatre at Christiania. In the following year he went to Rome. The Storthing accorded him an annual pension for his services to literature. His dramas, Brand, (Peer Gynt), Kejser og Galilaer (Caesar [Julian] and the Galilean), Nora, and Samfundets Stotler (the Pillars of Society), and Ghosts exhibit his unconventional spirit. Ibsen is an open unbeliever in Christianity. He looks forward to social regeneration through liberty, individuality, and education without superst.i.tion.

Ilive (Jacob), English printer and letter founder, b. Bristol about 1710. He published a pretended translation of the Book of Jasher, 1751, and some other curious works. He was prosecuted for blasphemy in Some Modest Remarks on the late Bishop Sherlock's Sermons, and sentenced to two years' imprisonment, 15 June, 1756-10 June, 1758. He was confined in the Clerkenwell House of Correction and published some pamphlets exposing the bad condition of the prison and suggesting means for its improvement. He died in 1768.

Imray (I. W.), author, b. 1802. Wrote in Carlile's Republican and Lion, and published "Altamont," an atheistic drama, in 1828.

Ingersoll (Robert Green), American orator, b. Dresden, New York, 11 Aug. 1833. His father was a Congregationalist clergyman. He studied law, and opened an office in Shawneetown, Illinois. In '62 he became colonel of the 11th Illinois Cavalry, and served in the war, being taken prisoner. In '66 he was appointed attorney-general for Illinois. At the National Republican Convention, '76, he proposed Blaine for President in a speech that attracted much attention. In '77 he refused the post of Minister to Germany. He has conducted many important cases, and defended C. B. Reynolds when tried for blasphemy in '86. Col. Ingersoll is the most popular speaker in America. Eloquence, humor, and pathos are alike at his command. He is well known by his books, pamphlets, and speeches directed against Christianity. He had published the G.o.ds, Ghosts, Some Mistakes of Moses, and a collection of his Lectures, '83, and Prose Poems and Extracts, '84. Most of his lectures have been republished in England. We mention What must I do to be Saved? h.e.l.l, The Dying Creed, Myth and Miracle, Do I Blaspheme? Real Blasphemy. In the pages of the North American Review Col. Ingersoll has defended Freethought against Judge Black, the Rev. H. Field, Mr. Gladstone, and Cardinal Manning.

Inman (Thomas), B.A., physician and archaeologist, b. 1820. Educated at London University, he settled at Liverpool, being connected with the well-known s.h.i.+pping family of that port. He is chiefly known by his work on Ancient Faiths Embodied in Ancient Names, in which he deals with the evidences of phallic wors.h.i.+p amongst Jews and other nations. It was first published in '69. A second edition appeared in '73. He also wrote Ancient Pagan and Modern Christian Symbolism Exposed and Explained, '69, and a controversial Freethought work, ent.i.tled Ancient Faiths and Modern, published at New York '76. Dr. Inman was for some time President of the Liverpool Literary and Philosophical Society, and was physician to the Royal Infirmary of that city. His professional life was one of untiring industry. He wrote several medical works, including two volumes on the Preservation and Restoration of Health. Died at Clifton, 3 May. 1876.

Iron (Ralph), pseudonym of Olive Schreiner, q.v.

Isnard (Felix), French physician, b. Gra.s.se 1829. Author of a work on Spiritualism and Materialism, 1879.

Isnard (Maximin), Girondin revolutionist, b. Gra.s.se 16 Feb. 1751. He was made a member of the a.s.sembly, in which he declared, "The Law, behold my G.o.d. I know no other." He voted for the death of the King, and was nominated president of the Convention. On the fall of the Girondins he made his escape, and reappeared after the fall of Robespierre. In 1796 he was one of the Council of Five Hundred. Died 1830.

Isoard (Eric Michel Antoine), French writer, b. Paris, 1826. Was naval officer in '48 but arrested as socialist in '49. In '70 he was made sous-prefet of Cambrai and wrote Guerre aux Jesuites.

Isoard Delisle (Jean Baptiste Claude), called also Delisle de Sales, French man of letters, b. Lyons 1743. When young he entered the Congregation of the Oratory, but left theology for literature. In 1769 he published the Philosophy of Nature, which in 1771 was discovered to be irreligious, and he was condemned to perpetual banishment. While in prison he was visited by many of the philosophers, and a subscription was opened for him, to which Voltaire gave five hundred francs. He went to the court of Frederick the Great, and subsequently published many works of little importance. Died at Paris 22 Sept. 1816.

Jacob (Andre Alexandre). See Erdan (A.)

Jacobson (Augustus), American, author of Why I do not Believe, Chicago 1881, and The Bible Inquirer.

"Jacobus (Dom)" Pseudonym of Potvin (Charles) q.v.

Jacoby (Leopold) German author of The Idea of Development. 2 vols. Berlin 1874-76.

Jacolliot (Louis), French orientalist, b. Saint Etienne, 1806. Brought up to the law, in '43 he was made judge at Pondichery. He first aroused attention by his work, The Bible in India, '70. He also has written on Genesis of Humanity, '76. The Religions Legislators, Moses, Manu and Muhammad, '80, and The Natural and Social History of Humanity, '84, and several works of travel.

Jantet (Charles and Hector), two doctors of Lyons, b. the first in 1826, the second in '28, have published together able Apercus Philosophiques on Renan's Life of Jesus, '64, and Doctrine Medicale Materialiste, 1866.

Jaucourt (Louis de), Chevalier, French scholar and member of the Royal Society of London and of the academies of Berlin and Stockholm, b. Paris 27 Sept. 1704. He studied at Geneva, Cambridge, and Leyden, furnished the Encyclopedie with many articles, and conducted the Bibliotheque Raisonnee. Died at Compiegne, 3 Feb. 1779.

Jefferies (Richard), English writer, b. 1848, famous for his descriptions of nature in The Gamekeeper at Home, Wild Life in a Southern Country, etc. In his autobiographical Story of My Heart (1883) Mr. Jefferies shows himself a thorough Freethinker. Died Goring-on-Thames, 14 Aug. 1887.

Jefferson (Thomas), American statesman, b. Shadwell, Virginia, 2 April 1743. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1767. He became a member of the House of Burgesses, 1769-75. In 1774 he published his Summary Views of the Rights of British-Americans. He drafted and reported to Congress the "Declaration of Independence" which was unanimously adopted, 4 July 1766. He was Governor of Virginia from 1719 to 1781, and originated a system of education in the State. He was Amba.s.sador to Paris from 1785-89, secretary of state from 1789-93, vice-president 1791-1801 and third president of the United States 1801-9. In '19 he founded the University of Virginia, of which he was rector till his death, 4 July 1826. Dr. J. Thomas in his Dictionary of Biography says "In religion he was what is denominated a freethinker." He spoke in old age of "the hocus-pocus phantom of G.o.d, which like another Cerberus had one body and three heads." See his life by J. Parton.

Johnson (Richard Mentor), Colonel, American soldier and statesman, b. Bryant's Station, Kentucky, 17 Oct. 1781. Was educated at Lexington, studied law, and practiced with success. Became member of the Kentucky Legislature in 1805, and raised a regiment of cavalry '12. Fought with distinction against British and Indians. Was member of Congress from 1807-19, and from '29-37; a United States Senator from '19-29, and Vice-President of the United States, '37-40. Is remembered by his report against the suspension of Sunday mails and his speeches in favor of rights of conscience. Died at Frankfort, Kentucky, 19 Nov. 1850.

Johnson (Samuel), American author, b. Salem, Ma.s.sachusetts, 10 Oct. 1822. He was educated at Harvard, and became pastor of a "Free Church" at Lynn in '53. He never attached himself to any denomination, although in some points his views were like those of the Unitarians and Universalists. About '46 he published, in conjunction with S. Longfellow, brother of the poet, Hymns of the Spirit, Oriental Religions in relation to Universal Religion, of which the volume on India appeared in '72, China '77, and Persia '84. Died Andover, 19 Feb. 1882.

Jones (Ernest Charles), barrister and political orator, b. Berlin, 25 Jan. 1819. His father was in the service of the King of Hanover, who became his G.o.dfather. Called to the bar in '44 in the following year he joined the Chartist movement, editing the People's Paper, Notes to the People, and other Chartist periodicals. In '48 he was tried for making a seditious speech, and condemned to two years' imprisonment, during which he wrote Beldagon Church and other poems. He stood for Halifax in '47, and Nottingham in '53 and '57, without success. He was much esteemed by the working cla.s.ses in Manchester, where he died 26 Jan. 1869.

Jones (John Gale), Political orator, b. 1771. At the time of the French Revolution he became a leading member of the London Corresponding Society. Arrested at Birmingham for sedition, he obtained a verdict of acquittal. He was subsequently committed to Newgate in Feb. 1810, for impugning the proceedings of the House of Commons, and there remained till his liberation was effected by the prorogation of Parliament, June 21. On 26 Dec. '11 he was again convicted for "a seditious and blasphemous libel." He was a resolute advocate of the rights of free publication during the trials of Carlile and his shopmen. Died Somers Town, 4 April, 1838.