Part 28

Schneeberger (F. J.), Austrian writer, b. Vienna, 7 Sept, 1827. Has written some popular novels under the name of "Arthur Storch," and was one of the founders of the German Freethinkers' Union.

Schoelcher ( Victor), French philosophist, b. Paris, 21 July 1804. While still young he joined the secret society Aide-toi, le ciel t'aidera, and studied social questions. He devoted himself from about '26 to advocating the abolition of slavery, and wrote many works on the subject. On 3 March, '48, he was made Under Secretary of the Navy, and caused a decree to be issued by the Provisional Government enfranchising all slaves on French territory. He was elected Deputy for Martinique '48 and '49. After 2 Dec. '51, he came to London, where he wrote occasionally in the Reasoner and National Reformer. He returned to France during the war, and took part in the defence of Paris. In '71 he was again returned for Martinique, and in '75 he was elected a life senator.

Scholl (Aurélien), French journalist, b. Bordeaux, 14 July, 1833. He began life as a writer on the Corsaire, founded Satan, Le Nain Jaune, etc., and writes on l'Evénement. Has written several novels, and le Procès de Jésus Christ, '77.

Scholl (Karl), German writer and preacher to the Free religious bodies of Mannheim and Heidelberg, b. Karlsruhe, 17 Aug. 1820. He became a minister '44, but was suspended for his free opinions in '45. His first important work was on the Messiah Legend of the East (Hamburg, '52), and in '61 he published a volume on Free Speech, a collection of extracts from French, English, and American Freethinkers. In '70 he started a monthly journal of the Religion of Humanity, Es Werde Licht! which continued for many years. Has published many discourses, and written Truth from Ruins, '73, and on Judaism and the Religion of Humanity, '79.

Schopenhauer (Arthur), German pessimist philosopher, b. Danzig, 22 Feb. 1788. The son of a wealthy and well-educated merchant and a vivacious lady, he was educated in French and English, and studied at Göttingen science, history, and the religions and philosophies of the East. After two visits to Italy, and an unsuccessful attempt to obtain pupils at Berlin, he took up his abode at Frankfort. In 1815 he wrote his chief work, The World as Will and Idea, translated into English in '83. His philosophy is expressed in the title, will is the one reality, all else appearance. He also wrote The Two Ground Problems of Ethics, '61, On the Freedom of Will, and a collection of essays entitled Parega and Paralipomena ('51). Died at Frankfort, 21 Sept. 1860. Schopenhauer was a pronounced Atheist, and an enemy of every form of superstition. He said that religions are like glow-worms; they require darkness to shine in.

Schroeter (Eduard), German American writer, b. Hannover, 4 June, 1810, studied theology at Jena; entered the Free-religious communion in '45. In '50, he went to America, living since '53 in Sauk City, and frequently lecturing there. In '81, he attended the International Conference of Freethinkers at Brussels. He was a constant contributor to the Freidenker, of Milwaukee, until his death 2 April, 1888.

Schroot (A.), German author of Visions and Ideas (Berlin, 1865), Natural Law and Human Will; Creation and Man, and Science and Life (Hamburg, 1873).

Schuenemann Pott (Friedrich), German American, b. Hamburg, 3 April, 1826. He joined the "Freie Gemeinde," and was expelled from Prussia in '48. After the Revolution he returned to Berlin and took part in democratic agitation, for which he was tried for high treason, but acquitted. In '54 he removed to America, where he made lecturing tours over the States settling at San Francisco.

Schultze (Karl August Julius Fritz), German writer, b. Celle, 7 May, 1846, studied at Jena, Göttingen and Münich, has written an able study on Fetishism, Leipzig '71, a pamphlet on Religion in German Schools, '72, a History of the Philosophy of the Renaissance, '74, and Kant and Darwin, '75. In '76, he was appointed Professor of Philosophy in Jena, since which he has written The Elements of Materialism, '80, Philosophy of the Natural Sciences, 2 vols. '81-82, and Elements of Spiritualism, 1883.

Schumann (Robert Alexander), German musical composer, b. Nekau, 8 July, 1810. He studied law at Leipsic, but forsook it for music. He started a musical journal '34, which he edited for some years. His lyrical compositions are unsurpassed, and he also composed a "profane" oratorio, Paradise and the Peri ('40). His character and opinions are illustrated by his Letters. Died 29 July, 1856.

Schweichel (Georg Julius Robert), German writer, b. Königsberg, 12 July, 1821. He studied jurisprudence, but took to literature. Taking part in the events of '48, after the reaction he went to Switzerland. Has written several novels dealing with Swiss life, also a Life of Auerbach. He wrote the preface to Dulk's Irrgang des Leben's Jesu, 1884.

Schweitzer (Jean Baptista von), German Socialist poet, b. Frankfort, 12 July, 1833. He studied law in Berlin and Heidelberg; became after Lassalle's death president of the German Workmen's Union, and was sent to Parliament in '67. He wrote the Zeitgeist and Christianity, '62, The Darwinians, '75, and several other works. Died 28 July, 1875.

Scot (Reginald), English rationalist, author of The Discoverie of Witchcraft, 1584, the first English work to question the existence of witches. It was burnt by order of King James I, and was republished in 1886. Scot died in 1599.

Scott (Thomas), English scholar, b. 28 April 1808. In early life he travelled widely, lived with Indians and had been page to Chas. X, of France. Having investigated Christianity, he in later life devoted himself to Freethought propaganda by sending scholarly pamphlets among the clergy and cultured classes. From '62-77, he issued from Mount Pleasant, Ramsgate, over a hundred different pamphlets by Bp. Hinds, F. W. Newman, Kalisch, Lestrange, Willis, Strange, etc., most of which were given away. He issued a challenge to the Christian Evidence Society, and wrote with Sir G. W. Cox, The English Life of Jesus '71. Altogether his publications extend to twenty volumes. Little known outside his own circle, Thomas Scott did a work which should secure him lasting honor. Died at Norwood, 30 Dec. 1878.

Seaver (Horace Holley), American journalist, b. Boston, 25 Aug. 1810. In '37 he became a compositor on the Boston Investigator, and during Kneeland's imprisonment took the editorship, which he continued for upwards of fifty years during which he battled strenuously for Freethought in America. His articles were always very plain and to the point. A selection of them has been published with the title Occasional Thoughts (Boston, '88). With Mr. Mendum, he helped the erection of the Paine Memorial Hall, and won the esteem of all Freethinkers in America. Died, 21 Aug. 1889. His funeral oration was delivered by Colonel Ingersoll.

Sebille (Adolphe), French writer, who, under the pseudonym of "Dr. Fabricus," published God, Man, and his latter end, a medico-psychological study, 1868, and Letters from a Materialist to Mgr. Dupanloup, 1868-9.

Sechenov or Setchenoff (Ivan), Russian philosopher, who, in 1863, published Psychological Studies, explaining the mind by physiology. The work made a great impression in Russia, and has been translated into French by Victor Derély, and published in '84 with an introduction by M. G. Wyrouboff.

Secondat (Charles de). See Montesquieu.

Seeley (John Robert), English historian and man of letters, b. London, 1834, educated at City of London School and Cambridge, where he graduated in '57. In '63, he was appointed Professor of Latin in London University. In '66, appeared his Ecce Homo, a survey of the Life and Work of Jesus Christ, published anonymously, and which Lord Shaftesbury denounced in unmeasured terms as vomitted from the pit of hell. In '69, he became professor of modern history at Cambridge, and has since written some important historical works as well as Natural Religion ('82). Prof. Seeley is president of the Ethical Society.

Segond (Louis August), French physician and Positivist, author of a plan of a positivist school to regenerate medicine, 1849, and of several medical works.

Seidel (Martin), Silesian Deist, of Olhau, lived at the end of the sixteenth century. He held that Jesus was not the predicted Messiah, and endeavored to propagate his opinion among the Polish Socinians. He wrote three Letters on the Messiah, The Foundations of the Christian Religion, in which he considered the quotation from the Old Testament in the new, and pointed out the errors of the latter.

Sellon (Edward), English archæologist, author of The Monolithic Temples of India; Annotations on the Sacred Writings of the Hindus, 1865, and other scarce works, privately printed.

Semerie (Eugène), French Positivist, b. Aix, 6 Jan. 1832. Becoming physician at Charenton, he studied mental maladies, and in '67 published a work on Intellectual Symptoms of Madness, in which he maintained that the disordered mind went back from Positivism to metaphysics, theology, and then to fetishism. This work was denounced by the Bishop of Orleans. Dr. Semerie wrote A Simple Reply to M. Dupanloup, '68. During the sieges of Paris he acted as surgeon and director of the ambulance. A friend of Pierre Lafitte, he edited the Politique Positive, and wrote Positivists and Catholics, '73, and The Law of the Three States, '75. Died at Grasse, May, 1884.

Semler (Johann Salomo), German critic, b. Saalfeld, 18 Dec. 1725. He was professor of theology at Halle and founder of historical Biblical criticism there. He translated Simon's Critical History of the New Testament, and by asserting the right of free discussion drew down the wrath of the orthodox. Died at Halle, 4 March, 1791.

Serafini (Maria Alimonda), Italian authoress of a Catechism for Female Freethinkers (Geneva, 1869), and a work on Marriage and Divorce (Salerno, '73).

Serveto y Reves (Miguel), better known as Michael Servetus, Spanish martyr, b. Villanova (Aragon), 1509. Intended for the Church, he left it for law, which he studied at Toulouse. He afterward studied medicine at Paris, and corresponded with Calvin on the subject of the Trinity, against which he wrote De Trinitatis Erroribus and Christianismi Restitutio, which excited the hatred of both Catholics and Protestants. To Calvin Servetus sent a copy of his last work. Calvin, through one Trie, denounced him to the Catholic authorities at Lyons. He was imprisoned, but escaped, and to get to Naples passed through Geneva, where he was seized at the instance of Calvin, tried for blasphemy and heresy, and burnt alive at a slow fire, 26 Oct. 1553.

Seume (Johann Gottfried), German poet, b. near Weissenfels, 29 Jan. 1763. He was sent to Leipsic, and intended for a theologian, but the dogmas disgusted him, and he left for Paris. He lived an adventurous life, travelled extensively, and wrote Promenade to Syracuse, 1802, and other works. Died at Teplitz, 13 June, 1810.

Sextus Empiricus, Greek sceptical philosopher and physician, who probably lived early in the third century of the Christian era. He left two works, one a summary of the doctrines of the sceptics in three books; the other an attack on all positive philosophy.

Shadwell (Thomas), English dramatist, b. Straton Hall, Norfolk, 1640. Although damned by Dryden in his Mac Flecknoe, Shadwell's plays are not without merit, and illustrate the days of Charles II. Died 6 Dec. 1692.

Shaftesbury (Anthony Ashley Cooper), third Earl, b. London, 26 Feb. 1671. Educated by Locke, in 1693 he was elected M.P. for Poole, and proposed granting counsel to prisoners in case of treason. His health suffering, he resigned and went to Holland, where he made the acquaintance of Bayle. The excitement induced by the French Prophets occasioned his Letters upon Enthusiasm, 1708. This was followed, by his Moralists and Sensus Communis. In 1711 he removed to Naples, where he died 4 Feb. 1713. His collected works were published under the title of Characteristics, 1732. They went through several editions, and did much to raise the character of English Deism.

Shakespeare (William). The greatest of all dramatists, b. Stratford-on-Avon, 23 April, 1564. The materials for writing his life are slender. He married in his 19th year, went to London, where he became an actor and produced his marvellous plays, the eternal honor of English literature. Shakespeare gained wealth and reputation and retired to his native town, where he died April 23, 1616. His dramas warrant the inference that he was a Freethinker. Prof. J. R. Green says, "Often as his questionings turned to the riddle of life and death, and leaves it a riddle to the last without heeding the common theological solutions around him." His comprehensive mind disdained endorsement of religious dogmas and his wit delighted in what the Puritans call profanity. Mr. Birch in his Inquiry into the Philosophy and Religion of Shakespeare, sustains the position that he was an Atheist.

Shaw (James Dickson), American writer, b. Texas, 27 Dec. 1841. Brought up on a cattle farm, at the Civil War he joined the Southern Army, took part in some battles, and was wounded. He afterwards entered the Methodist Episcopal ministry, '70; studied biblical criticism to answer sceptics, and his own faith gave way. He left the Church in March, '83, and started the Independent Pulpit at Waco, Texas, in which he publishes bold Freethought articles. He rejects all supernaturalism, and has written The Bible, What Is It?, Studies in Theology, The Bible Against Itself, etc.

Shelley (Percy Bysshe), English poet, b. Field Place (Sussex), 4 Aug. 1792. From Eton, where he refused to fag, he went to Oxford. Here he published a pamphlet on the necessity of Atheism, for which he was expelled from the University. His father, Sir Timothy Shelley, also forbade him his house. He went to London, wrote Queen Mab, and met Miss Westbrook, whom, in 1811, he married. After two children had been born, they separated. In '16 Shelley learned that his wife had drowned herself. He now claimed the custody of his children, but, in March, '17, Lord Eldon decided against him, largely on account of his opinions. Shelley had previously written A Letter to Lord Ellenborough, indignantly attacking the sentence the judge passed on D. I. Eaton for publishing Paine's Age of Reason. On 30 Dec. '16, Shelley married Mary, daughter of William Godwin and Mary Wollstonecraft. In '18, fearing their son might also be taken from him, he left England never to return. He went to Italy, where he met Byron, composed The Cenci, the Witch of Atlas, Prometheus Unbound, Adonais, Epipsychidion, Hellas, and many minor poems of exquisite beauty, the glory of our literature. He was drowned in the Bay of Spezzia, 8 July, 1822. Shelley never wavered in his Freethought. Trelawny, who knew him well, says he was an Atheist to the last.

Siciliani (Pietro), Professor in the University of Bologna b. Galatina, 19 Sep. 1835, author of works on Positive Philosophy, Socialism, Darwinism, and Modern Sociology, '79; and Modern Psychogeny, with a preface by J. Soury, '82. Died 28 Dec. '85.

Sidney (Algernon), English Republican, and second son of Robert, Earl of Leicester, b. 1617. He became a colonel in the Army of Parliament, and a member of the House of Commons. On the Restoration he remained abroad till 1677, but being implicated in the Rye House Plot, was condemned by Judge Jeffreys to be executed on Tower Hill, 7 Dec. 1678.

Sierebois (P.). See Boissière.

Siffle (Alexander François), Dutch writer, b. Middleburg, 11 May, 1801. Studied law at Leyden, and became notary at Middleburg. He wrote several poems and works of literary value, and contributed to de Dageraad. He was a man of wide reading. Died at Middleburg, 7 Oct. 1872.

Sigward (M.), b. St. Leger-sur-Dhume, France, 15 April, 1817. An active French democrat and Freethinker, and compiler of a Republican calendar. He took part in the International Congress at Paris '89, and is one of the editors of Le Danton.

Simcox (Edith), author of Natural Law in the English and Foreign Philosophical Library; also wrote on the Design Argument in the Fortnightly Review, 1872, under the signature "H. Lawrenny."

Simon de Tournai, a Professor at Paris University early in the XIIIth century. He said that "Three seducers," Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad, "have mystified mankind with their doctrines." He was said to have been punished by God for his impiety.

Simon (Richard), learned French theological critic, b. Dieppe, 15 May, 1638. Brought up by the Congregation of the Oratory, he distinguished himself by bold erudition. His Critical History of the Old Testament, 1678, was suppressed by Parliament. He followed it with a Critical History of the New Testament, which was also condemned. Died at Dieppe, 11 April, 1712.

Simonis.--A physician, b. at Lucques and persecuted in Poland for his opinions given in an Atheistic work, entitled Simonis Religio, published at Cracow, 1588.

Simpson (George), of the Glasgow Zetetic Society, who in 1838 put forward a Refutation of the Argument a priori for the being and attributes of God, in reply to Clarke and Gillespie. He used the signature "Antitheos." Died about 1844.

Sjoberg (Walter), b. 24 May, 1865, at Borgo (Finland), lives near Helsingfors, and took part in founding the Utilistiska Samfundet there. During the imprisonment of Mr. Lennstrand he gave bold lectures at Stockholm.

Skinner (William), of Kirkcaldy, Deist, author of Thoughts on Superstition or an attempt to Discover Truth (Cupar, 1822), was credited also with Jehovah Unveiled or the God of the Jews, published by Carlile in 1819.

Slater (Thomas), English lecturer, b. 15 Sept. 1820. Has for many years been an advocate of Secularism and Co-operation. He was on the Town Council of Bury, and now resides at Leicester.

Slenker (Elmina), née Drake, American reformer, b. of Quaker parents, 23 Dec. 1827. At fourteen, she began notes for her work, Studying the Bible, afterwards published at Boston, '70; she conducts the Children's Corner in the Boston Investigator, and has contributed to most of the American Freethought papers. Has written John's Way ('78), Mary Jones, The Infidel Teacher ('85), The Darwins ('79), Freethought stories. Resides at Snowville, Virginia.

Smith (Geritt), American reformer, b. Utica (N.Y.), 6 March, 1799, graduated at Hamilton's College. He was elected to Congress in 1850, but only served one Session. Though of a wealthy slaveholding family, he largely devoted his fortune to the Anti-Slavery cause. In religion, originally a Presbyterian, he came to give up all dogmas, and wrote The Religion of Reason, '64, and Nature the base of a Free Theology, '67. Died, New York, 28 Dec. 1874.

Snoilsky (Karl Johan Gustav), Count, Swedish poet, b. Stockholm, 8 Sept. 1841. Studied at Upsala, '60. Displays his Freethought in his poems published under the name of "Sventröst."

Socinus [Ital. Sozzini] (Fausto), anti-trinitarian, b. Siena, 5 Dec. 1539. He adopted the views of his uncle, Laelio, (1525-1562), and taught them with more boldness. In 1574 he went to Switzerland, and afterwards to Poland, where he made many converts, and died 3 March, 1604.

Sohlman (Per August Ferdinand), Swedish publicist, b. Nerika, 1824. He edited the Aftonbladet, of Stockholm, from '57, and was a distinguished Liberal politician. Died at Stockholm, 1874.

Somerby (Charles Pomeroy), American publisher, b. 1843. Has issued many important Freethought works, and is business manager of the Truthseeker.

Somerset (Edward Adolphus Saint Maur), 12th Duke of, b. 20 Dec. 1804. Educated at Eton and Oxford. He married a daughter of Thomas Sheridan. Sat as M.P. for Totnes, '34-35, and was Lord of the Treasury, '35-39, and First Lord of the Admiralty, '59-66. In '72 he startled the aristocratic world by a trenchant attack on orthodoxy entitled Christian Theology and Modern Scepticism. He also wrote on mathematics and on Monarchy and Democracy. Died 28 Nov. 1885.

Soury (Auguste Jules), French philosopher, b. Paris, 1842. In '65 he became librarian at the Bibliothèque Nationale. He has contributed to the Revue des Deux Mondes, Revue Nouvelle, and other journals, and has published important works on The Bible and Archæology, '72; Historical Studies on Religions, '77; Essays of Religious Criticism, '78; Jesus and the Gospels, '78, a work in which he maintains that Jesus suffered from cerebral affection, and which has been translated into English, together with an essay on The Religion of Israel from his Historical Studies. Studies of Psychology, '79, indicated a new direction in M. Soury's Freethought. He has since written A Breviary of the History of Materialism, '80; Naturalist Theories of the World and of Life in Antiquity, '81; Natural Philosophy, '82; Contemporary Psychological Doctrines, '83. He has translated Noeldeke's Literary History of the Old Testament, 73; Haeckel's Proofs of Evolution, '79; and Preyer's Elements of General Physiology, '84.

Southwell (Charles), English orator, b. London, 1814. He served with the British Legion in Spain, and became an actor and social missionary. In Nov. '41 he started The Oracle of Reason at Bristol, for an article in which on "The Jew Book" he was tried for blasphemy 14 Jan. '42, and after an able defence sentenced to twelve months' imprisonment, and a fine of one hundred pounds. After coming out he edited the Lancashire Beacon. He also lectured and debated both in England and Scotland; wrote Christianity Proved Idolatry, '44; Apology for Atheism, '46; Difficulties of Christianity, '48; Superstition Unveiled; The Impossibility of Atheism which he held on the ground that Theism was unproved, and Another Fourpenny Wilderness, in answer to G. J. Holyoake's criticism of the same. He also wrote about '45, Confessions of a Freethinker, an account of his own life. In '56 he went to New Zealand, and died at Auckland 7 Aug. 1860.

Souverain (N.), French author of Platonism Unveiled 1700, a posthumous work. He had been a minister in Poitou and was deposed on account of his opinions.

Sozzini. See Socinus.

Spaink (Pierre François), Dutch physician, b. Amsterdam, 13 Dec. 1862, and studied at the city, wrote for a time on De Dageraad, with the pen names "A. Th. Eist." and "F.R.S." Has translated Romanes' Scientific Evidences of Organic Evolution.

Spaventa (Bertrando), Italian philosopher, b. 1817. Since '61 he has been professor of philosophy at Naples. Has written upon the Philosophy of Kant, Gioberti, Spinoza, Hegel, etc. Died 1888.

Specht (Karl August), Dr. German writer, b. Lhweina, 2 July, 1845. Has been for many years editor of Menschenthum at Gotha, and has written on Brain and Soul, Theology and Science and a Popular History of the World's Development, which has gone through several editions. Dr. Specht is a leading member of the German Freethinkers' Union.