Comments on: Charles Bradlaugh and George Jacob Holyoake: their contrasting reputations as Secularists and Radicals

By: Colin Swinburn

Colin Swinburn — Mon, 12 Dec 2022 16:22:58 +0000

Great article about the two men. I particularly enjoyed the phrase ” There was an ironic symmetry here, with the expedient Holyoake standing on principle against the principled Bradlaugh’s expediency.” Good to see the Freethinker publishing wonderful historical perspectives.

By: Christoph De Spiegeleer

Christoph De Spiegeleer — Sat, 03 Dec 2022 14:05:23 +0000

In reply to Bob Forder. wonderful indeed to see this kind of rich historical analysis by such an important expert appear online.

By: Bob Forder

Bob Forder — Fri, 25 Nov 2022 17:51:16 +0000

It is wonderful to read something from Edward Royle in the Freethinker. While I am willing to be corrected I believe his last contribution to this magazine was in 1982 when Bill McIllroy was editor. Let’s not wait another 40 years for the next article from the person who has done more than any other to record, explain and recognise the contribution of the brave individuals who struggled for improvement in the human conditions under the banner of freethought.
I agree wholeheartedly that Bradlaugh’s place in radical history has been inadequately recognised as his muscular individualism and freethought sits uncomfortably with the collectivist instincts of socialists. Perhaps that, more than anything else, helps explain the tensions between him and G.J. Holyoake and their different understandings of the term ‘secularism’.