John Toland: Ireland's Forgotten Philosopher, Scholar ... and Heretic
By J.N. Duggan
()
About this ebook
A short biography offering a concise introduction and critical appraisal of the the life and work of John Toland (1670-1722) – scholar and philosopher of international renown; prolific writer on important political and religious issues of his day; a radical republican who challenged the divine right of kings; a diplomat whose Account of the Courts of Prussia and Hanover is still quoted by historians of the period; the first person to be called a freethinker (by Bishop Berkeley); the first to advocate full citizenship and equal rights for Jewish people.
These are just some of his notable achievements yet he remains largely unknown in his home country.
Toland was born in 1670 and raised on the Inishowen Peninsula in Co. Donegal. He died in London, in 1722, the city where he had resided for most of his life, although he was also a frequent visitor to the continent. In his considerable volume of writings, he challenged political and ecclesiastical authority. He is chiefly remembered today for what was, in fact, his first work, Christianity Not Mysterious (1696) – a book which was denounced in the English and Irish Parliaments and publicly burned in Dublin.
This volume includes the most comprehensive bibliography of John Toland works available at the time of publication.
According to the author, this book "makes no claim to being a 'Life' of Toland, nor is it an exhaustive enquiry into his enormous literary output or extraordinary range of interests. I leave that to others better qualified than me. However, I hope it will serve to introduce all those young Irishmen and women who have never heard of him, to one of their most far-seeing and forward-thinking countrymen.
This is a book that will be of interest to Toland's considerable international following, as well as those who are new to the story of an interesting character from a country that has produced more than a few.
Ní bheidh a leitheid arís ann.
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John Toland - J.N. Duggan
What other readers said about this book:
Toland is perhaps one of the most interesting characters in Irish history. He rose from obscurity in county Donegal to be a leading figure on the European stage, whose writings influenced princes and politicians. Duggan ... presents a brief, readable account of Toland and his times, quoting his subject and others extensively, and providing ... facsimiles ... a chronology ... bibliography of Toland's philosophical and political writings. - Books Ireland, December 2010.
A concise introduction to the Irish Voltaire. - Karl Janssen, Old Books by Dead Guys
Not a complete biography of John Toland, but a concise summary of his philosophical career. … The author gives a good sense of the personality of the man. … who not only welcomed … controversy but enthusiastically pursued it. … Its value is increased by a comprehensive bibliography of Toland's works. Anyone looking to learn more about this lesser-known figure of the Enlightenment should consider this a useful addition to their Kindle library. - Karl Janssen, Old Books by Dead Guys
A work with a clear sense of vindication. It is a work that aims to awaken interest in the philosophy of John Toland, calling on the youth of Ireland in particular to re-discover an author who is "one of their most far-sighted and forward thinking. - Jordi Morillas, Agon (translated from the Spanish original).
Toland was a remarkable scholar who professed, in Duggan's interpretation, what we would now call liberalism: freedom of information and conscience, rights for Jews and people of all religions, a fair judiciary. He also had insight into early Irish texts. ... Congratulations to Duggan for reminding us of the life of this strange and unique thinker. - Rory Brennan, Books Ireland, February 2013.
About the Author
J.N. Duggan was born in Sheffield in 1938 but came to live in Ireland at the age of 12. She returned to Sheffield to train as a nurse and later did her BSc at University College Dublin.
She now lives in Galway and for the last 20 years she has concentrated her time on writing historical biographies. She is the author of Sophia of Hanover, from Winter Princess to Heiress of Great Britain, published by Peter Owen, London in 2010. She has also written on the life of John Toland (1670-1722), Irish rationalist philosopher of the early Enlightenment.
At present she is working on a life of Count Hans Axel Fersen, the friend and confidante of Marie Antoinette, which is due to be published in 2013.
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By the same author:
Sophia of Hanover: from Winter Princess to Heiress of Great Britain, 1630-1714
Published by Peter Owen, London, 2010
ISBN: 978 0 7206 1342 1