The organised humanist movement in the UK began in the 1880s with the establishment of ‘ethical societies’: groups founded on the principle of living well without reference to supernatural ideas. Of the surviving records of these early societies, those of the Hampstead Ethical Institute (https://heritage.humanists.uk/hampstead-ethical-institute/ ), later the Hampstead Humanist Society, are some of the most complete, and provide a rich glimpse into the lives, works, and activism of those living in the borough of Camden during the first half of the 20th century. Using these records as a starting point, this talk will explore the stories of these remarkable figures, from the Scottish brothers responsible for the English language Baedeker guides, to the first woman to qualify as a pharmacist in Britain.

Madeleine Goodall is the Humanist Heritage Coordinator for Humanists UK. Since 2019, she has been researching the charity’s 125 year history, as well as exploring the wider presence and influence of humanists and the non-religious in the UK.

This talk was recorded and is available on https://youtu.be/tj7QgGY8hm8