controvertist

But, whether it be, that “small things make mean men proud,” and vanity catches small occasions; or that all contrariety of opinion, even in those that can defend it no longer, makes proud men angry; there is often found in commentaries a spontaneous strain of invective and contempt, more eager and venomous than is vented by the most furious controvertist in politicks against those whom he is hired to defame.

Preface to Shakespeare 2004

But, whether it be, that “small things make mean men proud,” and vanity catches small occasions; or that all contrariety of opinion, even in those that can defend it no longer, makes proud men angry; there is often found in commentaries a spontaneous strain of invective and contempt, more eager and venomous than is vented by the most furious controvertist in politicks against those whom he is hired to defame.

Preface to Shakespeare 1969

He became a prominent member of the whig party, and was everywhere known as the brilliant orator and successful controvertist of the Scott campaign of 1852.

Oration on the Life and Character of Henry Winter Davis John A. J. Creswell

For that which we have among his writings, is the performance of some other Catholic controvertist of the same age, as the learned agree.

The Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs, and Principal Saints January, February, March Alban Butler

He was formed for a controvertist, with sufficient learning, with diction vehement and pointed, though often vulgar and incorrect, with unconquerable pertinacity, with wit in the highest degree and sarcastic, and with all those powers exalted and invigorated by just confidence in his cause.

Lives of the English Poets: Prior, Congreve, Blackmore, Pope Johnson, Samuel 1891

If, however, a controvertist has no other object in view than to refute some general proposition laid down by an opponent, a particular proposition is all that he need disentangle from any statement that serves his purpose.

Logic Deductive and Inductive Carveth Read 1889

Rev. Sydney Smith, threw together their several efforts into one article of their Rev.ew, in order to crush and pound to dust the audacious controvertist who had come out against them in defence of his own

The Idea of a University Defined and Illustrated: In Nine Discourses Delivered to the Catholics of Dublin John Henry Newman 1845

What an easy time of it must such an all-sufficient controvertist have!

Reason and Faith; Their Claims and Conflicts From The Edinburgh Review, October 1849, Volume 90, No. CLXXXII. (Pages 293-356) Henry Rogers 1841

Their manners were somewhat coarse, but their conversation was instructive, and their disputations acute, though sometimes too violent, and often continued till neither controvertist remembered upon what question they began.

Rasselas, Prince of Abissinia 1803

"Wretched controvertist!" thought I to myself an hundred times, "shall not the sword of the Lord be moved from its place of peace for such presumptuous, absurd testimonies as these!"

The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner James Hogg 1802