On Tuesday 1st November in the Houses of Parliament there was a commemoration for an MP from Northampton, long since dead, who helped change society: Charles Bradlaugh.
In his memory, sculptor Suzie Zamit beautifully sculpted a portrait bust of him, which I think is an excellent work of art.
Charles Bradlaugh (26 September 1833 – 30 January 1891), founded the National Secular Society and became its first President in 1866. He became a leading figure in English atheism, and was the MP for Northampton between 1880 and 1891. In 1880 he refused to take a parliamentary Oath of Allegiance (which assumed every MP was Christian) which led to him being fined and spending time in prison. Indeed, he was the last ever MP to be locked in the cell half way up the Clock Tower, underneath Big Ben! By sticking to his principles, he managed to achieve his ambition- as Parliament passed a bill allowing members of both Houses of Parliament to affirm, if they so wished, when being sworn in.
Charles Bradlaugh was a man of principle, a man who stood up for what he believed, and who made a huge impact on Victorian society. A 21 year old Mahatma Ghandi attended his funeral.
Attending the event and hearing the speeches, such as the speech delivered by the current President of the National Secular Society, was a pleasure. I would also like to thank the National Secular Society for making this event possible by generously donating the portrait bust of Charles Bradlaugh.