Weishaupt, Adam

Weishaupt, Adam founder of the sect of the IIluminati (q.v.), was born at Ingolstadt, February 6, 1748. He was educated at the seminary of the Jesuits in his native city, but soon quitted it for the university, where he was made doctor in 1768 and in 1772 professor of jurisprudence. In 1775 he displaced the Jesuits in the chair of canon law, and thence forth became their opponent, first by means of a powerful secret society, and afterwards by the establishment of the mystical or enthusiastic sect above named, in whose interest his works (for which see Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, s.v.) were written. In 1785 here signed his professorship, and retired to Gotha, engaged in scientific and social labors, still occupying the honorary position of aulic counsellor. He died there November 18, 1830.