Josephus Flavius Cook (January 26, 1838 – June 24, 1901), commonly known asJoseph Cook, was anAmerican philosophical lecturer, clergyman, and writer.
Born inTiconderoga, New York, he attendedPhillips Academy, and then enteredYale College, later transferring toHarvard College, from which he graduated in 1865.[1] He married Georgiana Hemingway on June 30, 1877.[2]
A descendant of Pilgrims, Cook started his ascent to fame by way of Monday noon prayer meetings inTremont Temple inBoston that for more than twenty years were among the city's greatest attractions. In the lectures, Cook attempted to convey recent developments in European science and philosophy in a way that reconciled them to Protestant belief; his commentary stressed social amelioration and civic responsibility. He later travelled the world; his lectures were published and translated into several languages.[2]
In 1871, Cook's work exposing the poor conditions in factories inLynn, Massachusetts was publicly praised byMary Baker Eddy, the founder ofThe First Church of Christ, Scientist,[3] however, Cook later became a noted critic of Eddy and her ideas. Eddy responded with a pamphlet, later expanded into the bookNo and Yes which opposed Cook's views on the subject. Eddy also spoke at one of Cook'sTremont Temple lectures in defense of Christian Science.[4][5]
Cook died at his summer home in Ticonderoga on June 24, 1901.[6]
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