The Freethinker (journal)


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.
It has always taken an unapologetically atheist, anti-religious stance. In Issue 1, Foote set out The Freethinker's purpose:
Although closely linked with the National Secular Society for most of its history, 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. On receiving his sentence from Mr Justice North, Foote said "with great deliberation" to the Judge "My Lord, I thank you; it is worthy of your creed". His description of this experience was published in 1886 as Prisoner for Blasphemy.
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: