ILLUMINATI, The Enlightened, a name applied to the members of a secret society of the last century. It is said that a society had been formed by a disciple of Swedenborg, for the purpose of ostensibly bringing about a social reform in Europe; and that from this society, as well as from the societies of Jesuits and Freemasons, Adam Weishaupt, professor of canon-law at Ingolstadt, took the idea of forming a society whose professed object was, by one single tie, to unite men of all countries, in spite of different opinions, religions, and ranks; to instruct all classes; and to surround sovereigns with men of integrity, justice, truth, and courage. His adherents were at first called Perfectibilists, but afterwards designated themselves the Enlightened. From the ablest of his law students he chose apostles for his new scheme. These apostles he called areopagists, and sent to
various parts of Europe to work out his system. Before the existence of the society was known at Ingolstadt, several lodges had been established in Bavaria, Suabia, Franconia, Milan, and Holland, numbering 1000 disciples. Weishaupt succeeded in gaining over the Baron de Knigge, and Bode the philosopher, to his system. The whole society formed a hierarchy which consisted of eight grades, independent of minor subdivisions, viz,—the Novice, the Minerval, the Illuminatus Minor, the Illuminatus Major, the Scottish Cavalier, the Priest, the Regent, and the King. Young men between 18 and 30 were preferred, and Lutherans were taken rather than Catholics. The Baron de Knigge was a zealous promoter of their views. At the congress of Wilhelmshad, 1783, when there were present men from all parts of the world, he made many converts. The society amounted to 2000, of whom he himself had converted 500. A dispute arose between Weishaupt and Knigge; the latter was deposed, retired to Brême, and wrote against the society. In 1785 the system was divulged, and Weishaupt retired to Ratisbon. On the seizure of the papers and documents of the leaders in the following year, Weishaupt fled to Halle, where he died in 1830, at the age of 83.
A new combination was soon formed under the name of the Germanic Union, the founder of which was Dr Bahrdt. Its political intrigues favoured and hastened on the French Revolution. Mirabeau, Talleyrand, and others, are said to have adopted the principles of the new union, which Bode is said to have expounded in person at the Masonic lodges of Paris. It has been doubted, however, whether the society ever attained to a perfect organization, or whether it ever exerted any extensive influence.