“They believed that every man should know how to read and how to write, and should find out all that his capacity allowed him to comprehend. That is the glory of the Puritan fathers.”

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.