Davenport (Allen), social reformer, b. 1773. He contributed to Carlile’s Republican; wrote an account of the Life, Writings and Principles of Thomas Spence, the reformer (1826); and published a volume of verse, entitled The Muses’ Wreath (1827). Died at Highbury, London, 1846.
Davenport (John), Deist, b. London, 8 June, 1789, became a teacher. He wrote An Apology for Mohammed and the Koran, 1869; Curiositates Eroticœ Physiologæ, or Tabooed Subjects Freely Treated, and several educational works. Died in poverty 11 May, 1877.
David of Dinant, in Belgium, Pantheistic philosopher of the twelfth century. He is said to have visited the Papal Court of Innocent III. He shared in the heresies of Amalric of Chârtres, and his work Quaterini was condemned and burnt (1209). He only escaped the stake by rapid flight. According to Albert the Great he was the author of a philosophical work De Tomis, “Of Subdivisions,” in which he taught that all things were one. His system was similar to that of Spinoza.
David (Jacques Louis), French painter, born at Paris, 31 Aug. 1748, was made painter to the king, but joined the Jacobin Club, became a member of the Convention, voted for the king’s death and for the civic festivals, for which he made designs. On the restoration he was banished. Died at Brussels, 29 Dec. 1825. David was an honest enthusiast and a thorough Freethinker.
Davidis or David (Ferencz), a Transylvanian divine, b. about 1510. He was successively a Roman Catholic, a Lutheran and an Antitrinitarian. He went further than F. Socinus and declared there was “as much foundation for praying to the Virgin Mary and other dead saints as to Jesus Christ.” He was in consequence accused of Judaising and thrown into prison at Deva, where he died 6 June, 1579.
Davies (John C.), of Stockport, an English Jacobin, who in 1797 published a list of contradictions of the Bible under the title of The Scripturian’s Creed, for which he was prosecuted and imprisoned. The work was republished by Carlile, 1822, and also at Manchester, 1839.
Davidson (Thomas), bookseller and publisher, was prosecuted by the Vice Society in Oct. 1820, for selling the Republican and a publication of his own, called the Deist’s Magazine. For observations made in his defence he was summoned and fined £100, and he was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment in Oakham Gaol. He died 16 Dec. 1826.
Debierre (Charles), French writer, author of Man Before History, 1888.
De Dominicis. See [Dominicis].
De Felice (Francesco), Italian writer, b. Catania, Sicily, 1821, took part in the revolution of ’43, and when Garibaldi landed in Sicily was appointed president of the provisional council of war. Has written on the reformation of elementary schools.