Leucippus. Greek founder of the atomic philosophy.
L’Estrange (Thomas), writer, b. 17 Jan. 1822. With a view to entering the Church he graduated at Trinity College, Dublin, 26 Feb. ’44, but became an attorney. Having read F. A. Paley’s Introduction to the Iliad, he became convinced that the “cooking” process there described, has been undergone by all sacred books now extant. He wrote for Thomas Scott’s series valuable tracts on Our First Century, Primitive Church History, Irenæus, Order, The Eucharist. He also edited Hume’s Dialogues on Natural Religion, and wrote The First Ten Alleged Persecutions.
Levallois (Jules), French writer, b. Rouen 18 May, 1829. In ’55 he became secretary to Sainte Beuve. Wrote Déisme et Christianisme, 1866.
Lewes (George Henry), English man of letters, b. in London, 18 April, 1817, he became a journalist and dramatic critic. In 1845–6 appeared his Biographical History of Philosophy, which showed higher power. This has been republished as History of Philosophy from Thales to Comte. Lewes was one of the first to introduce English readers to Comte in his account of Comte’s Philosophy of the Sciences, ’47. In ’49 he became one of the founders of the Leader, for which he wrote till ’54. In that year he began his association with “George Eliot” (q.v.). His Life of Goethe appeared in ’55, and from this time he began to give his attention to scientific, especially biological, studies. In ’64 he published an important essay on Aristotle. On the foundation of the Fortnightly Review, ’65, Lewes was appointed editor. His last work, Problems of Life and Mind, 5 vols. ’74–79, was never completed owing to his death, 28 Nov. 1878. He bequeathed his books to Dr. Williams’s library.
Lichtenberg (Georg Christoph), German satirical writer and scientist, b. Ober-Ramstädt, 1 July, 1742; a friend of G. Forster, he left many thoughts showing his advanced opinions. Died Göttingen, 24 Feb. 1799.
Lick (James), American philanthropist, b. Fredericksburg, Pa., 25 Aug. 1796. In 1847 he settled in California and made a large fortune by investing in real estate. He was a Materialist and bequeathed large sums to the Lick Observatory, Mount Hamilton, and for other philanthropic purposes. Died San Francisco, 1 Oct. 1876.
Lilja (Nicolai), Swedish writer, b. Rostanga, 18 Oct. 1808. Studied at Lund and became parish clerk in the Lund diocese. He wrote, on Man; his Life and Destiny. Died Lund 1870.
Lincoln (Abraham), sixteenth President of the United States, b. Kentucky, 12 Feb. 1809. An uncompromising opponent of slavery, his election (Nov. ’60) led to the civil war and the emancipation of slaves. Ward H. Lamon, who knew him well, says he “read Volney and Paine and then wrote a deliberate and labored essay, wherein he reached conclusions similar to theirs. The essay was burnt, but he never denied or regretted its composition.” Mrs. Lincoln said, “Mr. Lincoln had no hope and no faith in the usual acceptance of those words.” Assassinated 14 April, 1865, he expired the following morning.
Lindet (Robert Thomas), “apostate” French bishop, b. Bernay, 1743. Was elected to the States-General by the clergy of his district. He embraced Republican principles, and in March, 1791, was made Bishop of L’Eure. In Nov. 1792 he publicly married. On 7 Nov. 1793, renounced his bishopric. He proposed that civil festivals should take the place of religious ones. He became member of the Conseil des Anciens. Died Bernay, 10 Aug. 1823, and was buried without religious service.
Lindh (Theodor Anders), b. Borgo (Finland), 13 Jan. 1833. Studied at Helsingfors University, ’51–57; became lawyer in ’71, and is now a member of the Municipal Council of Borgo. He has written many poems in Swedish, and also translated from the English poets, and has published Freethought essays, which have brought him into controversy with the clergy.