Delescluze (Louis Charles), French journalist and revolutionary, b. Dreux, 2 Oct. 1809, was arrested in ’34 for sedition. Implicated in a plot in ’35, he took refuge in Belgium. In ’48 he issued at Paris La Revolution Démocratique et Sociale, but was soon again in prison. He was banished, came to England with Ledru Rollin, but returning to France in ’53 was arrested. In ’68 he published the Réveil, for which he was again fined and sentenced to prison for ten years. In ’59 he was amnestied and imprisoned. He became head of the Commune Committee of Public Safety, and died at the barricade, 25 May, 1871.
Deleyre (Alexandre), French writer, b. Porbats, near Bordeaux, 6 Jan. 1726. Early in life he entered the order of Jesuits, but changed his faith and became the friend of Rousseau and Diderot. He contributed to the Encyclopédie, notably the article “Fanatisme,” and published an analysis of Bacon and works on the genius of Montesquieu and Saint Evremond, and a History of Voyages. He embraced the Revolution with ardor, was made deputy to the Convention, and in 1795 was made member of the Institute. Died at Paris, 27 March, 1797.
Delisle de Sales. See [Isoard Delisle (J. B. C.)]
Dell (John Henry), artist and poet, b. 11 Aug. 1832. Contributed to Progress, wrote Nature Pictures, ’71, and The Dawning Grey, ’85, a volume of vigorous verse, imbued with the spirit of democracy and freethought. Died 31 Jan. 1888.
Deluc (Adolphe), Professor of Chemistry at Brussels, b. Paris, 1 Sept. 1811. Collaborated on La Libre Recherche.
De Maillet. See [Maillet (Benoît de)].
Democritus, a wealthy Atheistic philosopher, b. Abdera, Thrace, B.C. 460. He travelled to Egypt and over a great part of Asia, and is also said to have visited India. He is supposed to have been acquainted with Leucippus, and sixty works were ascribed to him. Died B.C. 357. He taught that all existence consisted of atoms, and made the discovery of causes the object of scientific inquiry. He is said to have laughed at life in general, which Montaigne says is better than to imitate Heraclitus and weep, since mankind are not so unhappy as vain. Democritus was the forerunner of Epicurus, who improved his system.
Demonax, a cynical philosopher who lived in the second century of the Christian era and rejected all religion. An account of him was written by Lucian.
Demora (Gianbattista), director of the Libero Pensatore of Milan, and author of some dramatic works.
Denis (Hector), Belgian advocate and professor of political economy and philosophy at Brussels University, b. Braine-le-Comte, 29 April, 1842. Has written largely on social questions and contributed to La Liberté, la Philosophie Positive, etc. Is one of the Council of the International Federation of Freethinkers.