A Biographical Dictionary of Freethinkers of All Ages and Nations Part 20

MacSweeney (Myles), mythologist, b. at Enniskillen 1814. He came to London, and hearing Robert Taylor at the Rotunda in 1830, adopted his views. He held that Jesus never existed, and wrote in the National Reformer, Secular Chronicle, and other papers. He published a pamphlet on Moses and Bacchus in 1874. Died Jan. 1881.

Madach (Imre), Hungarian patriot and poet, b. 21 Jan. 1823, at Sztregova, studied at the University of Buda Pesth, and afterwards lived at Cseszlova. He was in '52 incarcerated for a year for having given asylum at his castle to a political refugee. He became in '61 delegate at Pesth. In this year he published his fine poem Az Ember Tragediaja (The Human Tragedy), in which mankind is personified as Adam, with Lucifer in his company. Many Freethought views occur in this poem. Died 5 Oct. 1864. His works were published in 3 vols., 1880.

Maier (Lodewyk). See Meyer.

Maillet (Benoit de). French author, b. Saint Michiel, 12 April, 1656. He was successively consul in Egypt and at Leghorn; and died at Ma.r.s.eilles, 30 Jan. 1738. After his death was published "Telliamed"

(the anagram of his name), in which he maintained that all land was originally covered with water and that every species of animal, man included, owes its origin to the sea.

"Mainlaender" (Philipp), pseudonym of Philipp Batz, German pessimist, author of a profound work ent.i.tled the Philosophy of Redemption, the first part of which was published in 1876. It was said that "Mainlander" committed suicide in that year, but the second part of his work has come out 1882-86. He holds that Polytheism gives place to Monotheism and Pantheism, and these again to Atheism. "G.o.d is dead, and his death was the life of the world."

Malherbe (Francois de). French poet, b. Caen, 1555. He served in the civil wars of the League, and enjoyed the patronage of Henry IV. He was called the prince of poets and the poet of princes. Many stories are told ill.u.s.trating his sceptical raillery. When told upon his death-bed of paradise and h.e.l.l he said he had lived like others and would go where others went. Died Paris, 16 Oct. 1628.

Mallet (Mme. Josephine). French auth.o.r.ess of a work on The Bible, its origin, errors and contradictions (1882).

Malon (Benoit). French Socialist, b. near St. Etienne, 1841. One of the founders of the International; he has written a work on that organisation, its history and principles (Lyons, 1872). He is editor on L'Intransigeant, conducted the Revue Socialiste, and has written on the religion and morality of the Socialists and other works.

Malvezin (Pierre). French journalist, b. Junhac, 26 June 1841. Author of La Bible Farce (Brussels, 1879.) This work was condemned and suppressed, 1880, and the author sentenced to three month's imprisonment. He conducts the review La Fraternite.

Mandeville (Bernhard), b. Dort. 1670. He studied medicine, was made a doctor in Holland, and emigrated to London. In 1705 he published a poetical satire, The Grumbling Hive, or Knaves Turned Honest. In 1709, he published The Virgin Unmasked, and in 1723, Free Thoughts on Religion the Church and National Happiness. In the same year appeared his Fables of the Bees or Private Vices, Public Benefits. This work was presented by the grand jury of Middles.e.x, 1723 and 1728. It was attacked by Law, Berkeley, and others. Mandeville replied to Berkeley in A Letter to Dion, occasioned by a book called Alciphron, or the Minute Philosopher, 1732. He also wrote An Inquiry of Honor, and Usefulness of Christianity in War, 1731. Died, London, 19 Jan. 1733.

Mantegazza (Paolo), Italian anthropologist, b. Monza, 31 Oct. 1831. Studied medicine at Milan, Pisa, and Paria, and travelled considerably through Europe, and produced at Paris in 1854 his first book The Physiology of Pleasure. He has also written on the physiology of pain, spontaneous generation, anthropological works on Ecstacy, Love and other topics, and a fine romance Il Dio Ignoto, the unknown G.o.d (1876). Mantegazza is one of the most popular and able of Italian writers.

Manzoni (Romeo), Dr. Italian physician, b. Arogno, 1847, studied philosophy at Milan, and graduated at Naples. He has written on the doctrine of love of Bruno and Schopenhauer A Life of Jesus, also Il Prete, a work translated into German with the t.i.tle Religion as a Pathological Phenomenon, etc.

Marchena (Jose), Spanish writer, b. Utrera, Andalusia, 1768. Brought up for the church, reading the writings of the French philosophers brought on him the Inquisition. He fled to France where he became a friend of Brissot and the Girondins. He wrote a p.r.o.nounced Essai de Theologie, 1797, and translated into Spanish Moliere's Tartufe, and some works of Voltaire. He translated Dupuis' Origine de tous les Cultes, became secretary to Murat, and died 10 Jan. 1821.

Marechal (Pierre Sylvain), French author, b. Paris, 15 Aug. 1750; was brought up to the Bar, which he quitted for the pursuit of literature. He was librarian to the Mazarin College, but lost his place by his Book Escaped from the Deluge, Psalms, by S. Ar. Lamech (anagram), 1784. This was a parody of the style of the prophets. In 1781 he wrote Le Nouveau Lucrece. In 1788 appeared his Almanack of Honest People, in which the name of Jesus Christ was found beside that of Epicurus. The work was denounced to Parliament, burnt at the hands of the hangman, and Marechal imprisoned for four months. He welcomed the Revolution, and published a republican almanack, 1793. In 1797 and 1798 he published his Code of a Society of Men without G.o.d, and Free Thoughts on the Priests. In 1799 appeared his most learned work, Travels of Pythagoras in Egypt, Chaldea, India, Rome, Carthage, Gaul, etc. 6 vols. Into this fiction Marechal puts a host of bold philosophical, political, and social doctrines. In 1800 he published his famous Dictionary of Atheists, which the Government prohibited and interdicted journals from noticing. In the following year appeared his For and Against the Bible. Died at Montrouge, 18 Jan. 1803. His beneficence is highly spoken of by Lalande.

Maret (Henry), French journalist and deputy, b. Santerre, 4 March, 1838. He ably combatted against the Empire, and edits Le Radical; was elected deputy in '81.

Marguerite, of Valois, Queen of Navarre, sister to Francis I. b. at Angouleme, 11 April, 1492. Deserves place for her protection to religious reformers. Died 21 Dec. 1549.

Marguetel de Saint Denis. See Saint Evremond (C.)

Mario (Alberto), Italian patriot, b. 3 June, 1825. He edited the Tribune and Free Italy, became aide-de-camp to Garibaldi and married Jessie White, an English lady. In '60 he wrote a polemic against the papacy ent.i.tled Slavery and Thought. Died 2 June, 1883.

Marlow (Christopher), English poet and dramatist, b. Canterbury, 8 Feb. 1564. Educated at Benet College, Cambridge, where he took his degree in 1587. He devoted himself to dramatic writing and according to some became an actor. He was killed in a brawl at Deptford, 1 June, 1593, in time to escape being tried on an information laid against him for Atheism and blasphemy. The audacity of his genius is displayed in Tamburlaine and Dr. Faustus. Of the latter, Goethe said "How greatly is it all planned." Swinburne says "He is the greatest discoverer, the most daring and inspired pioneer in all our poetic literature."

Marr (Wilhelm), German socialist, author of Religious Excursions, 1876, and several anti-Semitic tracts.

Marsais (Cesar Chesneau du). See Du Marsais.

Ma.r.s.elli (Niccola), Italian writer, b. Naples, 5 Nov. 1832. Author of advanced works on the Science of History, Nature and Civilisation, the Origin of Humanity, the Great Races of Humanity, etc.

Marston (Philip Bourke), English poet, b. London, 13 Aug. 1850. He became blind in childhood, and devoted to poetry. A friend of D. G. Rossetti, Swinburne, and Thomson, his poems are sad and sincere. Died 14 Feb. 1887, and was buried in accordance with his own wishes in unconsecrated ground at Highgate, and without religious service.

Marsy (Francois Marie de), b. Paris, 1714, educated as a Jesuit. He brought out an a.n.a.lysis of Bayle, 1755, for which he was confined in the Bastile. Died 16 Dec. 1763.

Marten (Henry), regicide, b. Oxford, 1602. Educated at Oxford, where he proceeded B.A., 1619. He was elected to Parliament in 1640, and expelled for his republican sentiments in 1643. He resumed his seat 6 Jan. 1646, took part in the civil war, sat as one of King Charles's judges, and became one of the Council of State. He proposed the repeal of the statute of banishment against the Jews, and when it was sought to expel all profane persons, proposed to add the words "and all fools." Tried for regicide 10 Oct. 1660, he was kept in Chepstow Castle till his death, Sep. 1680. Carlyle calls him "sworn foe of Cant in all its figures; an indomitable little Pagan if not better."

Martin (Emma), English writer and lecturess, b. Bristol, 1812. Brought up as a Baptist, she, for a time, edited the Bristol Magazine. She wrote the Exiles of Piedmont and translated from the Italian the Maxims of Guicciardini. The trials of Holyoake and Southwell for blasphemy led her to inquire and embrace the Freethought cause. While Holyoake and Paterson were in gaol, Mrs. Martin went about committing the "crime" for which they were imprisoned. In '43 she published Baptism A Pagan Rite. This was followed by Tracts for the People on the Bible no Revelation, Religion Superseded, Prayer, G.o.d's Gifts and Men's Duties, a conversation on the being of G.o.d, etc. She also lectured and wrote on the Punishment of Death, to which she was earnestly opposed. Died Oct. 1851.

Martin (Bon Louis Henri), French historian, b. St. Quentin, 20 Feb. 1810. He was sent to Paris to study law, but abandoned it for history. His History of France, in nineteen vols. (1838-53), is a monumental work of erudition. A confirmed Republican, he warmly opposed the Second Empire and after its fall became member of the National a.s.sembly, '71, and senator, '76. He was elected member of the Academy, '78. In addition to his historical works he contributed to le Siecle, la Liberte de penser, and l'Encyclopedie Nouvelle, etc. Died 14 Dec. 1883.

Martin (Louis), author of Les Evangiles Sans Dieu (called by Victor Hugo cette n.o.ble page), Paris, 1887, describes himself as an Atheist Socialist.

Martin (Louis Auguste). French writer, b. Paris, 25 April, 1811, editor of the Morale Independante and member of the Inst.i.tute of Geneva. For his True and False Catholics ('58), he was fined three thousand francs and imprisoned for six months. He published the Annuaire Philosophique. Several of his works are placed on the Roman Index. Died Paris, 6 April, 1875.

Martinaud (M.), an ex-abbe who refused ordination, and wrote Letters of a young priest, who is an Atheist and Materialist, to his bishop, Paris, 1868, in which he says, "Religion is the infancy of peoples, Atheism their maturity."

Martineau (Harriet), b. Norwich 12 June, 1803, descended from a Huguenot family. Brought up as a Unitarian, she began writing Devotional Exercises for Young Persons, and, taking to literature as a means of living, distinguished herself by popularisations of political economy. The Letters on the Laws of Man's Nature and Development, which pa.s.sed between her and H. G. Atkinson, appeared in '51, and disclosed her advance to the Positivist school of Thought. In '53 she issued a condensed account of Comte's philosophy. She wrote a History of England during the Thirty Years' Peace, and numerous other works. Died at Ambleside 27 June, 1876. Her Autobiography, published after her death, shows the full extent of her unbelief.

Masquerier (Lewis), American land reformer of Huguenot descent, b. 1 March, 1802. Wrote The Sataniad, established Greenpoint Gazette, and contributed to the Boston Investigator. Died 7 Jan. 1888.

Ma.s.senet (Jules Emile Frederic), French musical composer, b. Montard, 12 May, 1842. Has written a daring and popular oratorio on Marie Magdeleine, and an opera, Herodiade.

Ma.s.sey (Gerald), poet and archaeologist, b. of poor parents at Tring, in Herts, 29 May, 1828. At eight years of age he was sent to a factory to earn a miserable pittance. At the age of fifteen he came to London as an errand boy, read all that came in his way, and became a Freethinker and political reformer. Inspired by the men of '48, he started The Spirit of Freedom, '49. It cost him five situations in eleven months. In '53 his Ballad of Babe Christabel, with other Lyrical Poems at once gave him position as a poet of fine taste and sensibility. Mr. Ma.s.sey devoted himself to the study of Egyptology, the result of which is seen in his Book of Beginnings and Natural Genesis, '81-83, in which he shows the mythical nature of Christianity. Mr. Ma.s.sey has also lectured widely on such subjects as Why Don't G.o.d Kill the Devil? The Historical Jesus and the Mythical Christ, The Devil of Darkness in the Light of Evolution, The Coming Religion, etc. His poems are being re-published under the t.i.tle My Lyrical Life.

Ma.s.sey (James). See Tyssot. (S.)

Ma.s.sol (Marie Alexandre), French writer, b. Beziers, 18 March, 1805. He studied under Raspail, went to Paris in '30 and became a Saint Simonian. In '48 he wrote on Lamennais' La Reforme, and on the Voix du Peuple with his friend Proudhon, to whom he became executor. In '65 he established La Morale Independante with the object of showing morality had nothing to do with theology. Died at Paris 20 April, 1875.

Maubert de Gouvest (Jean Henri), French writer, b. Rouen, 20 Nov. 1721. Brought up as a monk, he fled and took service in the Saxon army. He was thrown into prison by the King of Poland, but the Papal nuncio procured his release on condition of retaking his habit. This he did and went to Rome to be relieved of his vows. Failing this he went to Switzerland and England, where he was well received by Lord Bolingbroke. He published Lettres Iroquoises, Irocopolis, 1752, and other anonymous works. At Frankfort in 1764 he was arrested as a fugitive monk and vagabond, and was imprisoned eleven months. Died at Altona, 21 Nov. 1767.

Maudsley (Henry), M.D., b. near Giggleswick, Yorks.h.i.+re, 5 Feb. 1835. Educated at London University, where he graduated M.D. in 1857. Taking mental pathology as his speciality, he soon reached eminence in his profession. From '69-'79 he was professor of medical jurisprudence at University College, London. His works on The Physiology and Pathology of the Mind ('67), Body and Mind ('70), Responsibility in Mental Disease ('73), and Body and Will ('83) have attracted much attention. His Natural Laws and Supernatural Seemings ('80) is a powerful exposure of the essence of all superst.i.tion.

Mauvillon (Jakob von), b. Leipzig, 8 March, 1743. Though feeble in body, he had a penchant for the army, and joined the engineer corps of Hanover, and afterwards became lieutenant-colonel in the service of the Duke of Brunswick. A friend and admirer of Mirabeau, he defended the French Revolution in Germany. He wrote anonymously Paradoxes Moraux (Amsterdam, 1768) and The Only True System of the Christian Religion (Berlin, 1787), at first composed under the t.i.tle of False Reasonings of the Christian Religion. Died in Brunswick, 11 Jan. 1794.

Mazzini (Giuseppe), Italian patriot, b. Genoa, 28 June 1808. In '26 he graduated LL.D., in the University of Genoa, and plunged into politics, becoming the leader of Young Italy, with the object of uniting the nation. Condemned to death in '33, he went to Switzerland and was expelled, then came to England in '37. In '48 he returned, and in March '49 was made triumvir of Rome with Saffi and Armellini. Compelled, after a desperate resistance, to retire, he returned to London. He wrote in the Westminster Review and other periodicals and his works are numerous though mostly of a political character. They are distinguished by highmindedness, love of toleration and eloquence. Carlyle called Mazzini "a man of genius and virtue, a man of sterling veracity, humanity and n.o.bleness of mind." Died at Pisa 10 March, 1872. He was a Deist.

Meissner (Alfred), German poet, b. Teplitz, 15 Oct. 1822. Has written Ziska, an epic poem, The Son of Atta Troll, Recollections of Heine, etc. Died Teplitz, 20 May, 1885.

Meister (Jacques Henri), Swiss writer, b. Buckeburg, 6 Aug. 1744. Intended for a religious career, he went to France, and became acquainted with D'Holbach and Diderot, of whom he wrote a short life, and was secretary to Grimm. He wrote the Origin of Religious Principles, 1762, and Natural Morality, 1787.

Menard (Louis), French author and painter, b. Paris, 1822. In '48-'49 he wrote Prologue of a Revolution, for which he was obliged to leave France. Has written on Morality before the Philosophers, '60, Studies on the Origin of Christianity, '67, and Freethinkers'

Religious Catechism, '75.

Mendoza (Diego Hurtado de), famous and learned Spanish author, b. of distinguished family, Granada, 1503. Intended for the church, he studied Latin, Greek, Arabic, and Hebrew, but on leaving the university he joined the army. At school he wrote his well known comic novel, Lazarillo de Tormes, which was condemned by the Inquisition. Sent on an emba.s.sy to Pope Paul III., the latter was greatly shocked at his audacity and vehemence of speech. His chief work is his History of the Moorish Wars, which remained unprinted thirty years, through the intolerant policy of Philip II. Mendoza's satires and burlesques were also prohibited by the Inquisition. He commented Aristotle and translated his Mechanics. Died at Valladolid, April, 1575.

Mendum (Josiah P.), publisher and proprietor of the Boston Investigator, b. Kennebunk, Maine, 7 July, 1811. He became a printer, and in 1833 became acquainted with Abner Kneeland and after his imprisonment engaged to print the Investigator, and when Kneeland left Boston for the West to recruit his health, he carried on the paper together with Mr. Horace Seaver. Mr. Mendum was one of the founders of the Paine Memorial Hall, Boston, and a chief support of Freethought in that city.

Mentelle (Edme), French geographer and historian, b. Paris, 11 Oct. 1730. Studied at the College de Beauvais under Crevier. His Precis de l'Histoire des Hebreux (1798), and Precis de l'Histoire Universelle are thoroughly anti-Christian. He doubted if Jesus ever existed. He was a member of the Inst.i.tute and Chevalier of the Legion of Honor. Died at Paris, 28 Dec. 1815.

Mercier (L. A.), author of La Libre Pensee, Brussels, 1879.

Meredith (Evan Powell), Welsh writer, author of The Prophet of Nazareth (1864), an able work exposing the prophecies of Jesus, and Amphilogia, a reply in to the Bishop of Landaff and the Rev. J. F. Francklin, '67.

Meredith (George), philosophical poet and novelist, b. Hamps.h.i.+re, 1828, and educated partly on the Continent. Intended for the law, he adopted literature in preference. He first appeared as a poet with Poems ('51). Of his powerful novels we mention the Ordeal of Richard Feveril ('59), Emilia in England ('64), now Sandra Belloni, with Vittoria ('66) for a sequel. Rhoda Fleming, Beauchamp's Career ('76), The Egoist ('79), The Tragic Comedians ('81) and Diana of the Crossways ('85). Deep thought and fine grace characterise his writings. As a poet Mr. Meredith is not popular, but his volumes of verse are marked by the highest qualities, and give him a place apart from the throng of contemporary singers.