“It has been said that a man of genius should select his ancestors with great care - and yet there does not seem to be as much in heredity as most people think. The children of the great are often small.”

American orator and lawyer of the late 19th century, Ingersoll was a prominent figure in freethought and secularism. His sharp wit and eloquent speeches championed reason, science, and skepticism, making him a leading voice against religious dogma. His influence extended beyond rhetoric to advocacy for civil rights and progressive social causes.