Rose (Charles H.), formerly of Adelaide, Australia, author of A Light to Lighten the Gentiles, 1881.
Rose (Ernestine Louise) née Süsmond Potowsky, Radical reformer and orator, b. Peterkov (Poland), 13 Jan. 1810. Her father was a Jewish Rabbi. From early life she was of a bold and inquiring disposition. At the age of 17 she went to Berlin. She was in Paris during the Revolution of ’30. Soon after she came to England where she embraced the views of Robert Owen, who called her his daughter. Here she married Mr. William E. Rose, a gentleman of broad Liberal views. In May ’36, they went to the United States and became citizens of the Republic. Mrs. Rose lectured in all the states on the social system, the formation of character, priestcraft, etc. She lectured against slavery in the slave-owning states and sent in ’38 the first petition to give married women the right to hold real estate. She was one of the inaugurators of the Woman’s Rights Movement, and a constant champion of Freethought. An eloquent speaker, some of her addresses have been published. Defence of Atheism, Women’s Rights and Speech at the Hartford Bible Convention in ’54. About ’73 she returned to England where she still lives. One of her last appearances at public was at the Conference of Liberal Thinkers at South Place Chapel in ’76, where she delivered a pointed speech. Mrs. Rose has a fine face and head, and though aged and suffering, retains the utmost interest in the Freethought cause.
Roskoff (Georg Gustav), German rationalist, b. Presburg, Hungary, 30 Aug. 1814. He studied theology and philosophy at Halle, and has written works on Hebrew Antiquity, ’57. The Samson legend and Herakles myth, ’60, and a standard History of the Devil in 2 vols., Leipzig, ’69.
Ross (William Stewart), Scotch writer, b. 20 Mar. 1844. Author of poems and educational works, and editor of Secular Review, now The Agnostic Journal. Wrote God and his Book, ’87, and several brochures published under the pen name of “Saladin.”
Rosseau (Leon), French writer in the Rationalist of Geneva under the name of L. Russelli. He published separately the Female Followers of Jesus, founded the Horizon, contributed to la Libre Pensée, and was editor of l’Athée. Died 1870.
Rossetti (Dante Gabriel), poet and painter, b. of Italian parents, London, 12 May, 1828. Educated at King’s College, he became a student at the Royal Academy and joined the pre-Raphaelites. As a poet artist he exhibited the richest gifts of originality, earnestness, and splendour of expression. Died at Westgate on Sea, 9 April, 1882.
Rossetti (William Michael) critic and man of letters, brother of the preceding, b. London, 25 Sep. 1829. Educated at King’s College, he became assistant secretary in the Inland Revenue Office. He has acted as critic for many papers and edited many works, the chief being an edition of Shelley, ’70, with a memoir and numerous notes. He is Chairman of the Committee of the Shelley Society.
Rossmaessler (Emil Adolf), German naturalist b. Leipsic 3 March, 1806. Studied theology, but abandoned it for science, and wrote many scientific works of repute. In ’48 he was elected to Parliament. Among his writings are Man in the Mirror of Nature. ’49–55. The History of the Earth, ’68. Died as a philosopher 8 April, 1867.
Roth (Julius), Dr., German author of Religion and Priestcraft, Leipzig, 1869; Jesuitism, ’71.
Rothenbuecher (Adolph), Dr., German author of an able little Handbook of Morals, written from the Secular standpoint, Cottbus, 1884.