Martin Madan

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(b. Oct. 5, 1726, Bond Street, Mayfair, London – d. May 2, 1790, Epsom, Surrey )

Gender: M

Martin Madan (1726-1790) was the son of Colonel Martin Madan and the poet Judith Madan. After living a dissolute life, he was converted to Methodism on hearing a sermon preached by John Wesley. He took holy orders and was appointed chaplain of the London Lock Hospital for the treatment of venereal diseases. He was associated with Lady Huntingdon’s movement, but distressed her and others when he published Thelyphthora, or a Treatise on Female Ruin, which advocated polygamy on the basis of scriptural authority. This was attacked by numerous commentators, including his cousin, the poet William Cowper.

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