Abbé Félicité Robert de Lamennais (1782-1854) was one of the most
interesting figures in 19th century France. Lamennais was a French
Catholic priest, philosopher and political theorist. He was one of the
most influential intellectuals of Restoration France. Lamennais is
considered the forerunner of liberal Catholicism and social Catholicism.
His struggle against tyranny and corruption in 19th century France
carries a universal message. Either reform now or face violence down the
road. Gordon Wright in his "France in Modern Times" noted that someone
once said "Lamennais along with Karl Marx were the two greatest
visionaries of the 19th century."