Accuracy first
Every factual claim on this site — dates, events, quotations, attributions — should be verifiable against a primary or reputable secondary source. When a source is uncertain, we say so. When we don't know, we say so. We do not invent plausible-sounding detail.
Sourcing
The primary source for Ingersoll's own words is the twelve-volume Dresden Edition (1900–1902), edited by Clinton P. Farrell. For biographical material, we rely on Orvin Larson's American Infidel (1962), Susan Jacoby's The Great Agnostic (2013), and Herman E. Kittredge's The Life of Robert G. Ingersoll (1911). Where we quote a contemporary account, we aim to trace it to a specific newspaper, letter, or memoir and link to the source where possible.
Fidelity to the text
We transcribe Ingersoll's writings exactly. Archaic spellings, punctuation, and nineteenth-century capitalization conventions are preserved. Any editorial emendations appear in square brackets. We do not modernize, paraphrase, or silently correct the record.
Editorial vs. primary material
Anything written by Ingersoll is labeled as such and preserved verbatim. Anything written about Ingersoll — the biographical pages, blog essays, introductions, FAQ — is editorial material authored for this project and clearly attributable. The two are never blurred.
Conflicts of interest
This is a non-commercial project. We accept no advertising, no sponsorship, and no payment from any organization in exchange for coverage. Contributors must disclose any material conflict related to what they write about.
Corrections
If you find an error — a wrong date, a misattribution, a typo in a transcribed work, a broken link — please tell us. We will correct it and note the change in the page's last-updated timestamp. For substantial factual corrections, we add a visible note at the end of the page.
Treatment of opposing views
Ingersoll was a polemical writer; many of his essays argue fiercely against religious doctrine. We present those essays in their original form without softening them. Editorial commentary on this site aims to present Ingersoll's contemporaries and opponents fairly — including his religious critics — even where we disagree with them. Ridicule in primary sources is preserved; ridicule in editorial voice is avoided.
Public-domain stewardship
Ingersoll's writings are in the public domain and belong to everyone. We do not claim copyright over them. Our editorial material is offered under a Creative Commons Attribution license so that others may reuse and adapt it with credit.
Who we are
This site is edited and maintained as an independent scholarly project. It is not affiliated with any religious, political, or advocacy organization. If that ever changes, it will be disclosed here plainly.
Questions, corrections, or objections? Our door is open — write to us.