Bradlaugh, CHARLES

Bradlaugh, CHARLES, a prominent social reformer, but vigorous anti-socialist, was born in London in 1833. He had early to shift for himself, and was in turn errand-boy, small coal-merchant, and trooper at Dublin. Procrering his discharge, he returned to London in 1853, became clerk to a solicitor, and ere long a busy secularist lecturer, and pamphleteer under the name of 'Iconoclast.' His voice was heard in all popular causes, alike on platforms throughout the country and in the pages of his organ, The National Reformer; but in 1880 his name assumed a new importance on his being elected M.P. for Northampton. He claimed to make affirmation of allegiance in lieu of taking the parliamentary oath; but after the report of two select committees, the House refused to allow him either to make oath or to affirm. He continued his struggle with the House, was thrice re-elected by Northampton, and at length, in 1886, having taken the oath, he was allowed to take his seat. In parliament he gained respect by his strong sense and debating power, and he earned wide popularity by his agitation against perpetual pensions. Of his writings the best known is the Impeachment of the House of Brunswick. His republication, in conjunction with Mrs Annie Besant, of an old pamphlet, The Fruits of Philosophy—a proposed solution for the overpopulation question—led in 1876 to a sentence of six months' imprisonment and a £200 fine, but the conviction was quashed on appeal (see OATH). See his Life by his daughter, Mrs Bonner and J. M. Robertson (1894). He died 30th January 1891.