supplementary material

All of his speeches are available for free on the internet. I’ve included links below.

reflection

I decided to include Ingersoll in the first week because he is such a fascinating figure, who remains quite unknown today. 

Ingersoll lived at a time when people would pay to listen to talented public speakers for entertainment and education. It was something of a Golden Age for the public intellectual, a time that would appear to be going through something of a revival in the US with the growth of podcasting and online seminars. 

Ingersoll could perhaps be described as the forerunner to the New Atheists. In particular, he appears to have had a personality, intellect and popularity not unlike that of the late Christopher Hitchens. He was likable, charismatic, funny and quick witted. And his speeches where said to be mesmerizing.

The religious world has largely dominated when it comes to the art of preaching. But Ingersoll is one of the exceptions. He could perhaps be described as the great preacher of agnosticism, captivating audiences in the way that a masterful preacher can enthrall their congregation (sadly the reflection isn’t spoken by him, and so lacks a lot of power it would have had for its original audience). 

How the God’s Grow

Robert Ingersoll (1833 – 1899) was an American lawyer, a Civil War veteran, political leader, and orator of the United States during the Golden Age of Free Thought, noted for his broad range of culture and his brilliant defense of agnosticism. He was nicknamed "The Great Agnostic".

Ingersoll was known for his passionate and articulate speeches that were often delivered in packed auditoriums across the US to rapt audiences. The following is one of short speeches called “How the God’s Grow”.