Charles Bradlaugh

Born:

26 September 1833, Hoxton, London, England

Died:

30 January 1891, Northampton, England

Nationality:

British

Profession(s):

Politician, Secularist, Publisher, Orator

Early Life and Education

• Born into a modest family; his father was a solicitor's clerk.
• Began working at a young age to support his family.
• Educated primarily through self-study and participation in radical political movements.
• Early involvement with the Sunday School movement before rejecting Christianity.

Career and Major Achievements

• Became a prominent figure in the secularist movement, advocating for freethought and atheism.
• Founded the National Secular Society in 1866 and served as its president for many years.
• Published and edited the National Reformer, a radical and freethinking newspaper.
• Elected Member of Parliament for Northampton in 1880.
• Faced repeated challenges and legal battles due to his atheism and refusal to take a religious oath.
• Successfully affirmed his right to take his seat in Parliament after a protracted legal struggle.
• Championed causes such as birth control, land reform, and the abolition of hereditary titles.

Notable Works

• Authored numerous pamphlets and articles on secularism, politics, and social reform.
• The Impeachment of the House of Brunswick (1872)
• Co-authored Fruits of Philosophy with Annie Besant, a controversial pamphlet on birth control (1877).

Legacy and Impact

Charles Bradlaugh was a significant figure in the 19th-century secularist and radical movements. His tireless advocacy for freethought and his successful struggle to enter Parliament despite his atheism had a lasting impact on British politics and society. His work paved the way for greater religious freedom and secularism in public life.

Notable Works Table

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