March 11

Born in 1670 near Dublin, John Toland studied at the University of Glasgow before moving to London to pursue his literary career. He published Christianity Not Mysterious in 1696, arguing that religious truths should be accessible to reason rather than mystery. Toland championed deism, pantheism, and republican ideas, challenging the authority of established churches and monarchies. He collaborated with other freethinkers, including Anthony Collins and Pierre Bayle, and helped found early philosophical societies. His works provoked controversy, leading to calls for his exile and the burning of his books. Despite opposition, Toland’s writings greatly influenced the development of modern secular and political thought. He died in 1722, leaving a legacy as a pioneer of Enlightenment rationalism and religious tolerance.

Born into a princely family in Moscow in 1803, Vladimir Odoyevsky became a leading figure in Russian Romantic literature and philosophy. He edited literary journals and hosted salons that fostered discussion among writers, composers, and thinkers. Odoyevsky wrote essays on aesthetics and social reform, advocating for intellectual freedom and cultural progress. He was also an inventor, experimenting with early electrical devices and acoustics. Though less celebrated than his contemporaries, his interdisciplinary work influenced later Russian intellectuals. Odoyevsky died in 1869, leaving a legacy as a bridge between Western European ideas and Russian artistic expression.

Born in Vienna in 1891, Edgar Zilsel became known for his research on the origins of modern science. A member of the Vienna Circle, he explored the role of artisanal knowledge in scientific development. His 'Zilsel Thesis' argued that practical craft experience influenced early modern scientific thought. Persecuted by the Nazis, he emigrated to the United States in 1938 and taught at the University of California. Zilsel published on probability and the scientific method, influencing later historians of science. He died on March 11, 1944, and his work was rediscovered by scholars in the late 20th century.