In polemical literature, Voltaire (François-Marie Arouet, 1694–1778) is cited by religious adversaries such as Abbé Fiard and others as an ‘incarnate demon’ due to his opposition to institutional religion and critique of Christianity. This characterization is not found in mainstream biographical sources but reflects demonological rhetoric common in anti-Enlightenment writings. Related Posts:Mythological Anatomy: The Hidden … Read more
Rénée Sanger, born around 1680 in Munich, was taught alleged diabolic practices by various individuals, including a domestic servant and military officers. She later joined a convent but secretly engaged in supposed witchcraft. Under accusations of harming her fellow nuns through malefic acts, she was eventually tried and executed in 1749. Accounts by the abbé … Read more
Saint-Gille was a ventriloquist from Saint-Germain-en-Laye who appeared before the Académie des sciences in December 1770. He demonstrated the ability to project his voice without visible mouth movements, creating the illusion of sound coming from various distances or directions. Sources do not detail his subsequent endeavors. Related Posts:20+ German Photographers Who Redefined Artistic ExpressionParalinguistic Sounds: … Read more
The Comte de Saint-Germain was an 18th-century figure reputed to possess alchemical knowledge and extraordinary longevity. He claimed to transmute metals into gold and enhance gemstones. His origins remain obscure, and his accounts included encounters with historical figures from remote periods. He appeared in several European courts, then faded from official records. Related Posts:Mythological Anatomy: … Read more
Saint-André was a French doctor known for writings on various superstitions. An anecdote describes his involvement in a case where a woman claimed to give birth to rabbits; initial belief in the phenomenon was later disproved under close examination. He authored letters addressing supposed magical events, though some criticized his conclusions. Related Posts:Mythological Anatomy: The … Read more
Anne Radcliffe (1764–1823) was an English author who produced gothic novels featuring supernatural elements such as apparitions and ominous settings. Her works, including The Mysteries of Udolpho, used evocative atmospheres and suspenseful plots that influenced later gothic literature. Her novels are characterized by mysterious environments, unexplained events, and themes of fear. She wrote during a … Read more
An urban folklore account from 1726 in London describes a woman who, during a grand supper, reportedly gave birth daily to a creature described as a lapereau (young rabbit). The attending surgeon, named Saint-André, confirmed the occurrence, and the incident was widely circulated among the local populace. Related Posts:Regions with the Highest Life Expectancy in … Read more
In 1738, in the region of Grenade, a female child was born exhibiting an unusual pattern of black and white markings covering her entire body. Detailed descriptions note a symmetrical distribution of coloration on the head, limbs, and torso, reminiscent of natural garments. An observed similarity between the markings on the child and those of … Read more
Petit Monde was the name given to a secret society in England during the last century that conspired for the restoration of the Stuart dynasty. Folkloric accounts include tales in which the devil himself was said to preside over their assemblies, with the society being linked to Freemasonry and Jacobite conspiracies. Related Posts:Freemasons, a Fraternal … Read more
Paul Arnold was a peasant from the village of Medvegia (Médroïga) in Hungary who, according to local legend, became a vampire after his death in 1728. Accounts state that Arnold was crushed by a hay wagon, and thirty days later, four people died suddenly in a manner consistent with vampire attacks. It was recalled that … Read more