“Well-being and well-doing: a History of Humanism in the UK” with Madeleine Goodall

Event: Tuesday 1 June 2021  7.30pm online talk

– for Zoom link contact info@nyhg.org.uk

In celebration of Humanists UK’s 125th anniversary, this talk explores the long history and significant influence of humanism in the UK, with a specific focus on the development of the organisation we know today.

Humanists UK was formed in 1896 as the Union of Ethical Societies, pursuing the ‘good life’ without reference to theological ideas. Many members and leaders, including those little remembered today, actively pursued a range of social reforms, continuing a strong tradition of change-making by freethinkers. They also initiated and developed many of the campaigns which remain at the heart of Humanists UK today.

This talk draws on research carried out as part of the Humanist Heritage project, launched in 2019 to uncover and share the lesser known stories that make up the history of humanism in the UK.

Maddy is the Humanist Heritage Coordinator for Humanists UK, researching and writing about the history of humanism to celebrate the organisation’s 125th birthday. She has a background in education, museums, and community history, and is also Humanists UK‘s Wikimedian in Residence.