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, Yorkshire, 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 superstition.
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 title 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 nobleness 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. Bückeburg, 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 embassy 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 Crévier. His Précis de l’Histoire des Hébreux (1798), and Précis de l’Histoire Universelle are thoroughly anti-Christian. He doubted if Jesus ever existed. He was a member of the Institute and Chevalier of the Legion of Honor. Died at Paris, 28 Dec. 1815.