Founding Fathers of the United States:
* Thomas Jefferson: Known for his writings on religious freedom and his own version of the Bible, which he called "The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth."
* Benjamin Franklin: A prominent scientist and inventor, Franklin held Deistic views and promoted religious tolerance.
* James Madison: The main author of the United States Constitution, Madison was a Deist who believed in separating church and state.
* Thomas Paine: Author of "Common Sense" and "The Age of Reason," Paine was a vocal advocate for Deism and a critic of organized religion.
Other Notable Figures:
* Voltaire: A French philosopher and writer, Voltaire was critical of organized religion but believed in a benevolent God who created the universe.
* John Locke: An English philosopher who advocated for natural rights and limited government, Locke was a Deist who believed in reason and natural law.
* Isaac Newton: A renowned physicist and mathematician, Newton was a Deist who believed in a God who set the universe in motion but did not intervene in its workings.
* Jean-Jacques Rousseau: A philosopher and writer known for his ideas on social contract theory, Rousseau held Deistic views and emphasized the importance of reason and natural law.
* William Paley: An English clergyman and philosopher, Paley was a natural theologian who used the argument from design to support the existence of a creator God.
* Ethan Allen: An American Revolutionary War hero, Allen was a Deist who wrote "Reason the Only Oracle of Man," advocating for reason and individual judgment in matters of faith.
Important Note:
It's crucial to remember that the term "Deist" wasn't always used consistently in the 18th century. Some individuals may have held views that could be considered Deistic, but they never explicitly identified as such.
Additionally, some figures who might be categorized as Deists held views that were quite diverse and nuanced, and some may not have fully adhered to all the tenets of Deism.