Lecky (William Edward Hartpole), historian, b. near Dublin, 26 March, 1838. Educated at Trinity College, Dublin. His works, which are characterised by great boldness and originality of thought, are A History of the Rise and Spirit of Rationalism in Europe (’65), A History of European Morals from Augustus to Charlemagne (’69), and A History of England in the Eighteenth Century (1878–87).
Leclerc (Georges Louis). See [Buffon].
Leclerc de Septchenes (N.), b. at Paris. Became secretary to Louis XVI., translated the first three vols. of Gibbon, and wrote an essay on the religion of the ancient Greeks (1787). A friend of Lalande, he prepared an edition of Freret, published after his death. Died at Plombieres, 9 June, 1788.
Leconte de Lisle (Charles Marie René), French poet, b. Isle of Bourbon, 23 Oct. 1818. After travelling in India, returned to Paris, and took part in the revolution of ’48, but has since devoted himself mainly to poetry, though he has written also A Republican Catechism and A Popular History of Christianity (’71). One of his finest poems is Kain. On being elevated to the seat of Victor Hugo at the Academy in ’87, he gave umbrage to Jews and Catholics by incidentally speaking of Moses as “the chief of a horde of ferocious nomads.”
Lecount (Peter), lieutenant in the French navy. He was engaged in the battle of Navarino. Came to England as a mathematician in the construction of the London and Birmingham Railway, of which he wrote a history (1839). He wrote a curious book in three volumes entitled A Few Hundred Bible Contradictions; A Hunt After the Devil and other Old Matters, by John P. Y., M.D.; published by H. Hetherington (’43). The author’s name occurs on p. 144, vol i., as “the Rev. Peter Lecount.”
Leenhof (Frederick van), b. Middelburg (Zealand), Aug. 1647. Became a minister of Zwolle, where he published a work entitled Heaven on Earth (1703), which subjected him to accusations of Atheism. It was translated into German in 1706.
Lefevre (André), French writer, b. Provins, 9 Nov. 1834. He became, at the age of twenty-three, one of the editors of the Magasin Pittoresque. He wrote much in La Libre Pensée and La Pensée Nouvelle; has translated Lucretius in verse (’76), and written Religions and Mythologies Compared (’77); contributed a sketchy History of Philosophy to the Library of Contemporary Science (’78); has written Man Across the Ages (’80) and the Renaissance of Materialism (’81). He has also edited the Lettres Persanes of Montesquieu, some Dialogues of Voltaire, and Diderot’s La Religieuse (’86).
Lefort (César), disciple of Comte. Has published a work on the method of modern science (Paris, 1864).
Lefrancais de Lalande. See [Lalande].
Legate (Bartholomew), Antitrinitarian native of Essex, b. about 1572, was thrown into prison on a charge of heresy, 1611. King James had many personal interviews with him. On one occasion the king asked him if he did not pray to Jesus Christ. He replied that he had done so in the days of his ignorance, but not for the last seven years. “Away, base fellow!” said His Majesty, “It shall never be said that one stayeth in my presence who hath never prayed to the Savior for seven years together.” He was burnt at Smithfield by the King’s writ, De Hæretico Comburendo, 18 March, 1612, being one of the last persons so punished in England.