American lawyer, politician, and orator Robert Green Ingersoll was well-known for his compelling writings and speeches supporting rationalism, agnosticism, and secularism. Ingersoll, who was born in Dresden, New York, rose to prominence as a speaker in the late 19th century, winning over listeners with his sharp wit, eloquence, and progressive viewpoints. Although Ingersoll started out as a prosperous lawyer, he became well-known for his lectures across the country on subjects ranging from politics and religion to social reform and humanism. Because of his vocal opposition to organised religion and support of reason and science, he earned the nickname "The Great Agnostic" Ingersoll was a fervent supporter of freedom of speech and thinking throughout his life. He supported causes like women's rights, abolitionism, and the separation of religion and state because he thought that knowledge and enlightenment might better society.
