Charles Bradlaugh

Born in Hoxton, London, on September 26, 1833, Charles Bradlaugh rose from a modest background to become one of the best-known radical voices of 19th-century Britain. He worked from a young age, educated himself widely, and became a powerful public lecturer and writer whose views on religion, liberty, and politics attracted both devoted followers and fierce critics.

Bradlaugh founded the National Secular Society in 1866 and became a leading advocate of freethought, freedom of expression, and individual rights. He was also closely associated with major public controversies of his day, including the campaign for access to birth control information and the struggle of nonbelievers to participate fully in public life.

He is especially remembered for his long battle to take his seat as Member of Parliament for Northampton after his election in 1880. Because he wished to make a secular affirmation rather than swear a religious oath, he faced repeated legal and political obstruction before eventually taking his seat. He died on January 30, 1891, but his career helped change the place of conscience and belief in British public life.