Richard Congreve
Encyclopedia
Richard Congreve was one of the leading figures in the specifically religious interpretation of Auguste Comte
's form of positivism
. In that capacity he founded the London Positivist Society
in 1867 and the Comtist Church of Humanity
in 1878. He also wrote political tracts.
, attending there as a pupil between 1832 and 1837. He was a pupil of Dr. Arnold
, and a disciple of Auguste Comte
in philosophy
. After taking first-class honours at Wadham College, Oxford
(later becoming a Fellow of the college), he was a master at Rugby from 1845 to 1848, but returned to Oxford as a tutor.
Soon after the French Revolution of 1848
he visited Paris, where he made the acquaintance of Barthelemy St Hilaire and Auguste Comte. He was so attracted by the Positive philosophy that he resigned his fellowship in 1855, and devoted the remainder of his life to the propagation of the Positive philosophy. He took a leading part in the work carried on in Chapel Street, Lamb's Conduit Street
. In 1878 he declined to admit the authority of Pierre Laffitte
, Comte's official successor, and the result was a split in the ranks of English Positivism, Frederic Harrison
, Dr J. H. Bridges and Professor Edward Spencer Beesly
forming a separate society at Newton Hall, Fetter Lane. Congreve translated several of Comte's works, and in 1874 published a large volume of essays, in which he advocated Comte's view that it was the duty of Great Britain to renounce her foreign possessions. He was said to have a high character and great intellectual capacity.
He died at Hampstead on 5 July 1899.
Auguste Comte
Isidore Auguste Marie François Xavier Comte , better known as Auguste Comte , was a French philosopher, a founder of the discipline of sociology and of the doctrine of positivism...
's form of positivism
Positivism
Positivism is a a view of scientific methods and a philosophical approach, theory, or system based on the view that, in the social as well as natural sciences, sensory experiences and their logical and mathematical treatment are together the exclusive source of all worthwhile information....
. In that capacity he founded the London Positivist Society
London Positivist Society
The London Positivist Society was a philosophical circle that met in London, England, between 1867 and 1974. In 1934 it merged with the English Positivist Committee...
in 1867 and the Comtist Church of Humanity
Church of Humanity
Church of Humanity was a positivist church influenced by Auguste Comte's "religion of humanity." Comte's "religion of humanity" in France, although small, inspired the rise of the "Church of Humanity" in England. It also had a branch or variant in New York City. Richard Congreve of the London...
in 1878. He also wrote political tracts.
Life and education
Congreve was educated at Rugby SchoolRugby School
Rugby School is a co-educational day and boarding school located in the town of Rugby, Warwickshire, England. It is one of the oldest independent schools in Britain.-History:...
, attending there as a pupil between 1832 and 1837. He was a pupil of Dr. Arnold
Thomas Arnold
Dr Thomas Arnold was a British educator and historian. Arnold was an early supporter of the Broad Church Anglican movement...
, and a disciple of Auguste Comte
Auguste Comte
Isidore Auguste Marie François Xavier Comte , better known as Auguste Comte , was a French philosopher, a founder of the discipline of sociology and of the doctrine of positivism...
in philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
. After taking first-class honours at Wadham College, Oxford
Wadham College, Oxford
Wadham College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom, located at the southern end of Parks Road in central Oxford. It was founded by Nicholas and Dorothy Wadham, wealthy Somerset landowners, during the reign of King James I...
(later becoming a Fellow of the college), he was a master at Rugby from 1845 to 1848, but returned to Oxford as a tutor.
Soon after the French Revolution of 1848
French Revolution of 1848
The 1848 Revolution in France was one of a wave of revolutions in 1848 in Europe. In France, the February revolution ended the Orleans monarchy and led to the creation of the French Second Republic. The February Revolution was really the belated second phase of the Revolution of 1830...
he visited Paris, where he made the acquaintance of Barthelemy St Hilaire and Auguste Comte. He was so attracted by the Positive philosophy that he resigned his fellowship in 1855, and devoted the remainder of his life to the propagation of the Positive philosophy. He took a leading part in the work carried on in Chapel Street, Lamb's Conduit Street
Lamb's Conduit Street
Lamb's Conduit Street is street in central London, located in Bloomsbury on the west end of the city. There are many independent traders along the street. The street was named after William Lambe in recognition of the £1,500 he gave for the rebuilding of the Holborn Conduit in 1564.-External links:*...
. In 1878 he declined to admit the authority of Pierre Laffitte
Pierre Laffitte
Pierre Laffitte was a French positivist.Laffitte was born at Béguey . Residing at Paris as a teacher of mathematics, he became a disciple of Auguste Comte, who appointed him his literary executor...
, Comte's official successor, and the result was a split in the ranks of English Positivism, Frederic Harrison
Frederic Harrison
Frederic Harrison was a British jurist and historian.Born at 17 Euston Square, London, he was the son of Frederick Harrison, a stockbroker and his wife Jane, daughter of Alexander Brice, a Belfast granite merchant. He was baptised at St...
, Dr J. H. Bridges and Professor Edward Spencer Beesly
Edward Spencer Beesly
Edward Spencer Beesly , English historian and positivist, son of the Rev. James Beesly, was born at Feckenham, Worcestershire.- Life :...
forming a separate society at Newton Hall, Fetter Lane. Congreve translated several of Comte's works, and in 1874 published a large volume of essays, in which he advocated Comte's view that it was the duty of Great Britain to renounce her foreign possessions. He was said to have a high character and great intellectual capacity.
He died at Hampstead on 5 July 1899.