Novelist seeks Research help

Hi, I'm a published author and I'm after a little expertise.

What I'm looking for are several examples of relatively obscure historical characters through the last 1500 years, who were particularly virtuous and ideally executed, in their 20's-30' as heretics, or died in suspicious/mysterious circumstances.

Without exposing too much plot...I'm after real people for whom a half-convincing case can be made for them having been the messiah returning as promised - but getting quietly 'silenced' before they managed to establish themselves properly.

For anyone who can help me, there'll be a mention of thanks in the published novel, this time next year.

reply to post by Garpy2

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Don't know if this is what you are looking for but here's a wiki page of messiah claimants for judaism, christianity and islam throughout the ages. There might be one or two that fit your requirements.



G

reply to post by Garpy2

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I wouldn't call him "obscure", and he wasn't a "Christian" (in the institutional sense), but you may want to have a look at al Hallaj.

In fact, everyone could use a look at him.

He was extraordinary, perhaps the closest anyone (we know of) has come to Christ.
But he doesn't lend himself to facile and superficial interpretations.
No danger of Dan Brown hijacking him, then...
(Unless he frequents these boards, too.)










[edit on 30-6-2008 by Vanitas]

Why limit the age to 20s and 30s?

Surely there are other examples of those in later years who experienced something similar.

It would help if you gave one example so we'd have something to go on. It could even be fictional.

Age actually isn't critical...but being younger (19-39) would fit with the idea of messiah 'silenced' before he got established.

I will give suggestions off-line...

[edit on 30-6-2008 by Tapped In]

lol...no, not John Irving, but a fan. :-)

reply to post by Garpy2

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GOOD...

I would never try to intentionally mock one of my teachers...

Great...well, I guess on behalf of John, thanks.

reply to post by Vanitas

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Vanitas, thanks...although a little old, he's a good candidate for what I'm after.