Neha Patil (Editor)

The Freethinker (journal)

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Categories
  
Science magazine

First issue
  
1 May 1881

Country
  
United Kingdom

Frequency
  
Monthly

Final issue
  
April 2014 (print)

Language
  
English

The Freethinker was a British secular humanist magazine, founded by G.W. Foote in 1881. One of the world's oldest surviving freethought publications, it moved online-only in 2014.

Contents

It has always taken an unapologetically atheist, anti-religious stance. In Issue 1 (May, 1881), Foote set out The Freethinker's purpose:

Although closely linked with the National Secular Society for most of its history (NSS Presidents and General Secretaries have at various times also served as Freethinker editor), The Freethinker is strictly autonomous and is not, and never has been, published by the NSS.

In 2006, the magazine's front-page masthead was changed from "Secular humanist monthly" to "The Voice of Atheism since 1881".

Barry Duke is the current editor.

History

Following the publication of anti-religious cartoons in the Christmas 1882 edition of The Freethinker, Foote was prosecuted for blasphemy, and sentenced to 12 months imprisonment with hard labour.

The April 2014 edition of The Freethinker contained an announcement that the May issue would be the last to appear in print; publication would continue online.

List of Freethinker editors

Here is a list of editors of The Freethinker from 1881:

  • George William Foote, 1881–1915 (Edward Aveling edited the paper during Foote's imprisonment, 1883)
  • Chapman Cohen, 1915–1951
  • Frank Ridley, 1951–1954
  • A Committee consisting of F. A. Hornibrook, Bayard Simmons, G. H. Taylor 1954–1957?
  • Colin McCall replaced Simmons in 1957 and became sole editor until December 1965
  • David Tribe, January 1966 – July 1966
  • Kit Mouat, August 1966 – January 1967
  • David Collis, January – November 1967
  • Karl Hyde, November 1967 – August 1968
  • David Reynolds, September 1968 – July 1970
  • William McIlroy, 1970 – December 1971
  • Nigel Sinnott, January 1972 – November 1973
  • Christopher Morey, November 1973 – December 1974
  • William McIlroy, 1975–1976
  • Jim Herrick, January 1977 – 1981
  • William McIlroy, September 1981–December 1992
  • Peter Brearey, January 1993–1998
  • Barry Duke, 1998–Present

    • References

    The Freethinker (journal) Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA


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