Chies y Gomez (Ramon), Spanish Freethinker, b. Medina de Pomar, Burgos, 13 Oct. 1845. His father, a distinguished Republican, educated him without religion. In ’65 Chies went to Madrid, and followed a course of law and philosophy at the University, and soon after wrote for a Madrid paper La Discusion. He took an active part in the Revolution of ’65, and at the proclamation of the Republic, ’73, became civil governor of Valencia. In ’81 he founded a newspaper El Voto Nacional, and since ’83 has edited Las Dominicales del Libre Pensamiento, which he also founded. Ramon Chies is one of the foremost Freethought champions in Spain and lectures as well as writes.
Child (Lydia Maria) née Francis, American authoress, b. Medford, Mass., 11 Feb. 1802. She early commenced writing, publishing Hobomok, a Tale of Early Times, in ’21. From ’25 she kept a private school in Watertown until ’28, when she married David Lee Child, a Boston lawyer. She, with him, edited the Anti-Slavery Standard, ’41, etc., and by her numerous writings did much to form the opinion which ultimately prevailed. She was, however, long subjected to public odium, her heterodoxy being well known. Her principal work is The Progress of Religious Ideas, 3 vols.; ’55. Died Wayland, Mass., 20 Oct. 1880. She was highly eulogised by Wendell Phillips.
Chilton (William), of Bristol, was born in 1815. In early life he was a bricklayer, but in ’41 he was concerned with Charles Southwell in starting the Oracle of Reason, which he set up in type, and of which he became one of the editors. He contributed some thoughtful articles on the Theory of Development to the Library of Reason, and wrote in the Movement and the Reasoner. Died at Bristol, 28 May, 1855.
Chubb (Thomas), English Deist, b. East Harnham, near Salisbury, 29 Sept. 1679, was one of the first to show Rationalism among the common people. Beginning by contending for the Supremacy of the Father, he gradually relinquished supernatural religion, and considered that Jesus Christ was of the religion of Thomas Chubb. Died 8 Feb. 1747, leaving behind two vols. which he calls A Farewell to his Readers, from which it appears that he rejected both revelation and special providence.
Church (Henry Tyrell), lecturer and writer, edited Tallis’s Shakespeare, wrote Woman and her Failings, 1858, and contributed to the Investigator when edited by Mr. Bradlaugh. Died 19 July, 1859.
Clapiers (Luc de). See [Vauvenargues].
Claretie (Jules Armand Arsène), French writer, b. Limoges, 3 Dec. 1840. A prolific writer, of whose works we only cite Free Speech, ’68; his biographies of contemporary celebrities; and his work Camille Desmoulins, ’75.
Clarke (John), brought up in the Methodist connection, changed his opinion by studying the Bible, and became one of Carlile’s shopmen. He was tried 10 June, 1824, for selling a blasphemous libel in number 17, vol. ix., of The Republican, and after a spirited defence, in which he read many of the worst passages in the Bible, was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment, and to find securities for good behavior during life. He wrote while in prison, A Critical Review of the Life, Character, and Miracles of Jesus, a work showing with some bitterness much bold criticism and Biblical knowledge. It first appeared in the Newgate Magazine and was afterwards published in book form, 1825 and ’39.
Clarke (Marcus), Australian writer, b. Kensington, 1847. Went to Victoria, ’63; joined the staff of Melbourne Argus. In ’76 was made assistant librarian of the Public Library. He has compiled a history of Australia, and written The Peripatetic Philosopher (a series of clever sketches), His Natural Life (a powerful novel), and some poems. An able Freethought paper, “Civilisation without Delusion,” in the Victoria Review, Nov. ’79, was replied to by Bishop Moorhouse. The reply, with Clarke’s answer, which was suppressed, was published in ’80. Died 1884.
Claude-Constant, author of a Freethinkers’ Catechism published at Paris in 1875.