Albert Taylor Bledsoe (9 November 1809-8 December 1877), philosopher, metaphysician, mathematician, and journalist, was a worthy opponent of religious determinism and an eloquent defender of the right of secession. He was born in Frankfort, Kentucky, the eldest child of Moses and Sophia Taylor Bledsoe. Bledsoe received the rudiments of an education at home and in a private academy, and entered the West Point Military Academy at the age of fifteen. The young Kentuckian graduated five years later, sixteenth in a class of forty-two. While a cadet he was converted to Christianity by Chaplain Charles P. McIlvaine. Bledsoe also discovered that he possessed a remarkable aptitude for mathematics; he may, in fact, have served as a cadet assistant professor in that discipline during his senior year.

Upon graduation in 1830, 2nd Lieutenant Bledsoe was assigned to Fort Gibson, Indian Territory. Military life proved tedious, however, and he resigned his commission to study...