Ingersoll: Immortal infidel

by Robert G. Ingersoll

The author is a Unitarian minister. Introductory Biography; [Selected] Quotations from Robert Ingersoll (Arranged Alphabetically by Subject); [Selected] Speeches of Ingersoll. Appendices on The Finest Theater in America (Beckwith Memorial Theater in Dowagiac, Michigan founded by Philo D. Beckwith, an admirer of Ingersoll); Dresden and Grammercy Park (Ingersoll was born in Dresden, New York in 1833 and lived for the last ten years of his life at 52 Grammercy Park in New York City); Three Nights to Remember (Ingersoll's speech on October 20, 1876 at a Republican rally in support of Rutherford B. Hayes, his lecture on October 8, 1896 to a crowd of nearly twenty thousand in Chicago, and his lecture on October 30, 1880 at the Academy of Music in Brooklyn, New York at which he was introduced by Henry Ward Beecher); [Selected] Economiums (a list of "notables" and their tributes to Ingersoll including Clara Barton, Luther Burbank, Andrew Carnegie, Clarence Darrow, Thomas Edison, Carrie Chapman Catt, W.C. Fields, James Garfield, Ernest Haeckel, Elbert Hubbard, H.L. Mencken, Carl Sandburg, Margaret Sanger, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Adlai Stevenson, Mark Twain, Walt Whitman and others). The author states that "Unless otherwise indicated, the quotations presented in this book are taken from The Complete Works of Robert Ingersoll, in twelve volumes, The First Dresden Edition, published in 1900. In an attempt to make the text as readable as possible, specific page and volume references have been omitted. In piecing together quotes, while no substantial material has been altered, arrangement has followed the desire to compress and include as many as possible in the available space." The author's goal is to introduce Ingersoll to a wider audience

Genres: Nonfiction, Philosophy, History, Religion, Atheism, Classics, Politics

171 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1977

About the author

"On August 11, 1833, was born the greatest and noblest of the Western World; an immense personality, -- unique, lovable, sublime; the peerless orator of all time, and as true a poet as Nature ever held in tender clasp upon her loving breast, and, in words coined for the chosen few, told of the joys and sorrows, hopes, dreams, and fears of universal life; a patriot whose golden words and deathless deeds were worthy of the Great Republic; a philanthropist, real and genuine; a philosopher whose central theme was human love, -- who placed 'the holy hearth of home' higher than the altar of any god; an iconoclast, a builder -- a reformer, perfectly poised, absolutely honest, and as fearless as truth itself -- the most aggressive and formidable foe of superstition -- the most valiant champion of reason -- Robert G. Ingersoll." - Herman E. Kittredge

Robert Green Ingersoll, who became the best known advocate of freethought in the 19th-century, was born in Dresden, N.Y. The son of an impoverished itinerant pastor, he later recalled his formative church experiences: "The minister asked us if we knew that we all deserved to go to hell, and we all answered 'yes.' Then we were asked if we would be willing to go to hell if it was God's will, and every little liar shouted 'Yes!'" He became an attorney by apprenticeship, and a colonel in the Civil War, fighting in the Battle of Shiloh. In 1867, Ingersoll was appointed Illinois' first Attorney General. His political career was cut short by his refusal to halt his controversial lectures, but he achieved national political fame for his thrilling nomination speech for James G. Blaine for president at the national convention of the Republican Party in 1876. Ingersoll was good friends with three U.S. presidents. The distinguished attorney was known and admired by most of the leading progressives and thinkers of his day.

Ingersoll traveled the continent for 30 years, speaking to capacity audiences, once attracting 50,000 people to a lecture in Chicago—40,000 too many for the Exposition Center. His repertoire included 3 to 4-hour lectures on Shakespeare, Voltaire and Burns, but the largest crowds turned out to hear him denounce the bible and religion. He initially settled in Peoria, Illinois, then in Washington, D.C., where he successfully defended falsely accused men in the "Star Route" scandal, the most famous political trial of the 19th century. Religious rumors against Ingersoll abounded. One had it that Ingersoll's son was a drunkard who more than once had to be carried away from the table. Ingersoll wrote: "It is not true that intoxicating beverages are served at my table. It is not true that my son ever was drunk. It is not true that he had to be carried away from the table. Besides, I have no son!"

During the Civil War he was commissioned as Colonel and commander of the 11th Illinois Volunteer Cavalry, and was captured near Corinth, Mississippi. Although soon released, he still made time to treat his Confederate captors to a rousing anti slavery speech.

He hoped for but was never awarded a Cabinet post. The Republicans were afraid of his unorthodox religious views. He was told that he could progress politically if he hid his religious views, but Ingersoll refused on the charge that withholding information from the public would be immoral.

He strongly advocated equal rights for blacks and women. He defended Susan B. Anthony from hecklers when she spoke in Peoria; when every hotel in the city refused to house Frederick Douglass, he welcomed him into his home.

More: https://ffrf.org/news/day/dayitems/it...

http://infidels.org/library/historica...

http://www.robertgreeningersoll.org/8-2/

http://www.positiveatheism.org/tochin...

http://www.philosopedia.org/index.php...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_G...

Reviews

[Jeff Koeppen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I felt like I was in an alternate universe while I was reading this. I had heard of Robert Ingersoll but knew very little about him or his philosophy. Like me, you may have heard of the "Great Agnostic" but couldn't tell much more about him. It turns out that Ingersoll was a genius and the one of the greatest American orators of all time! He was the Christopher Hitchens of his day (the late 19th Century) - the smartest guy in the room, a critical thinking, follower of science and reason - and did not hold back when attacking religious orthodoxy. He drew thousands when he spoke. In fact the Chicago Tribune reported that he drew 50,000 for a speech in 1876 at the then Chicago Industrial Arts Exposition Building. Before public address systems! The editor presents some theories as to why Ingersoll was regulated to the background historically - most center on his vehement critisism of religion and the supernatural. This is polarizing in the modern day. Can you imagine how that went over with some people 140 years ago?

This slim book is comprised of a short biography, famous quotations (ordered alphabetically by subject), six of his speeches, a chapter about the Beckwith Theater in Dowagiac, Michigan, a chapter describing several of his most famous appearances, and a collection of encomiums from notable people (ie. Susan B Anthony, Mark Twain, Frederick Douglass, etc). I really liked that his quotes were grouped by subject, it was easy to go back an revisit favorites.

The Beckwith Theater was a world class theater, the "best between New York and Chicago". It was built in the small Michigan town by philanthropist Philo Beckwith, who wanted to bring culture to his home town - he wanted to expose his friends and fellow citizens to his heroes and heroines. One of which was Ingersoll. The rise and fall of the theater is actually a pretty interesting story.

I have since read more about Ingersoll and perused many more of his quotes. The ones about Darwin, evolution, and science were as pithy as any I've ever heard. I literally can't believe I haven't run across any of his writings or speeches before now. I will seek out a more robust volume of Ingersoll's work. What a fascinating individual he was. He had an unparalleled way with words and as a speaker had no equal in his time.

[John Reuter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wholeheartedly agree with Horace Greeley who in his preface to another book, Best of Robert Ingersoll: Selections from His Writings and Speeches" states:


"Robert Ingersoll, The Great Agnostic, answered the Moral Majority over a century ago; intensely moral himself, he mercilessly attacked and exposed clerical hypocrisy and ignorance, the cruelties of Calvinism, and biblical absurdities. Ingersoll remains a refreshing oasis in the present desert of neo-orthodoxy and anachronistic fundamentalism."

[pearl_seeker · Rating 4 out of 5]

"A good deed is the best prayer; a loving life is the best religion."

A witty and wise agnostic who despised the hypocrisy of religion, but never the religiously-inclined. He believed they were victims of a scam. He lived his beliefs - that his fellow man and mankind in general should be revered, not invisible punitive gods.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read all of Ingersoll's writing and speeches over the course of a few days, so I can't really remember the books apart: I will treat them all as one big entity.

Ingersoll was a magnificent man ahead of his time. Not really because he had the intellectual horsepower to successfully evaluate the truth value of religious claims - since, let's admit it, an intelligent child has enough brain cells to do that -, but because he had the intellectual courage not only to make these evaluations, but also to try to convince people and publicly argue against their bullshit. For that he deserves our adoration.

His thoughts are rather lucid, his arguments are well structured. If you are a theist, and are looking for basic arguments that criticize your beliefs, Ingersoll is a good read. If you are a junior member of the atheist club or are interested in the history of nonbelief, you'll find these things interesting. But even if you are an eye-patched, scarface veteran of the Atheist-Theist Wars, you'll find Ingersoll entertaining, so grab one of his books, listen to one of his speeches, and enjoy.

[Richard Lawrence · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great book for any RGI fan (and everyone should be). It offers an insight into his personality that one really doesn't get from reading his essays. I wouldn't recommend it as an introductory text but after reading his essays (the subject of an upcoming review) you will want to know more about this American treasure. I often refer to Ingersoll as the American Christopher Hitchens and Hitchens was well versed in his writings. If you are a fan this is a must read.

[Scott Humphries · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even if you don’t read this particular collection of the Great Agnostic’s work, find time to read Ingersoll’s eulogy of Walt Whitman, which you can find on the internet.

[Richard T Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow just wow must read!

[Paul Pike]

Duped. Thought the book was free. Amazon wants $9.59 to read on my Kindle. Not a chance. P

[Nik · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a wonderful book that summarizes Robert Ingersoll's thoughts on various topics through out his life. It is broken down by topic and is insightful to the beautiful mind and amazing contribution he made to the advancement of intellectual and moral thought in late 19th century America. Here is a great summary of his views expressed through his personal creed:

"To love justice, to long for the right, to love mercy, to pity the suffering, to assist the weak, to forget wrongs and remember benefits, to love the truth, to be sincere, to utter honest words, to love liberty, to wage relentless war againt slavery in all its forms, to love wife and child and friend, to make a happy home, to love the beautiful in art (and) in nature, to cultivate the mind, to be familiar with the mighty thoughts that genius has expressed, the noble deeds of all the world; to cultivate courage and cheerfulness, to make others happy, to fill life with the splendor of generous acts, the warmth of loving words; to discard error, to destroy prejudice, to receive new truths with gladness, to cultivate hope, to see the calm beyond the storm, the dawn beyond the night, to do the best that can be done and then be resigned. This is the religion of reason, the creed of science. This satisfies the brain and heart."

-Robert G. Ingersoll

[Jim Kisela · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible figure in American culture, Robert Ingersoll is pretty much forgotten today, -- and as person who reads a lot of American history, I wasn't aware of his political and social impact in the late 19th century US.

His writing is mainly from the huge number of speeches he gave during his life, and it pulsates with the excitement, knowledge, and good humor of what must have been a fantastic personality. He was an outspoken agnostic in that time, who would be considered an atheist today; he was completely against organized religion. His speeches dismantled the ideas and myths behind religion, attacked the structure of religious organizations, and extolled science, logic, and the principles of the enlightenment.

Some historians have said that if he would have been willing to avoid talking about his antagonism to organized religion he could have been elected Governor of Illinois, and eventually US President, -- he was that well liked and charismatic.

[Seth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ingersoll was an American agnostic and skeptic who was revered for his oratorical genius, admired for his political honesty and feared for his high intellect. But what most stands the test of time in Ingersoll's work, I think, is his incisive, sardonic humor.

Although you may not agree with some of his positions, you will almost certainly appreciate his wit.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robert Ingersoll was brilliant.