Allan Kardec
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Allan Kardec is another name used by the French educator Hippolyte Léon Denizard Rivail (October 3, 1804 - March 31, 1869). He dedicated his 15 last years of life to organise a philosophical doctrine called Spiritism. He was a great divulgator of the educational ideas of Pestalozzi in the 19th century. Published books of grammar, mathematics and suggestions for the improvement of public education in France. Taught physiology, astronomy, physics and chemistry at Polimatic Lyceum, in Paris.
In 1854, Rivail started studying phenomena called "paranormal", that were very common in that time. His pedagogical sense made him create a philosophy in which the spiritual manifestations were useful to social and moral improvements of men. Inspired by this idea, he dedicated his last years to organise a philosophical system with a strong educational appeal: the Spiritism (fr. Spiritisme).