François Marie Charles Fourier

François Marie Charles Fourier

François Marie Charles Fourier, whose eccentric philosophy inspired an American craze for communal living.

John Anderson Collins

John Anderson Collins

John Anderson Collins (birth and death dates unknown) promoted an ill-fated, putatively Fourierist community at Skaneateles. Undercapitalized and riven by controversy between religious and freethinking members, the commune failed in less than three years.

Hezekiah Joslyn

Hezekiah Joslyn

Hezekiah Joslyn (1757-1865), father of the future suffragist Matilda Joslyn Gage, worked on organizing the Skaneateles Community and planned to move to the intentional community with his family, including the then-teenaged Matilda, before being put off by the erratic behavior of lead organizer John Anderson Collins.

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