2-716-586 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

'Charles Bradlaugh, at the Bar of the House of Commons, Claiming the Right to Make the Affirmation of Allegiance instead of taking the Oath', 1880, (1901). British free-thinker, political activist, atheist and social reformer Charles Bradlaugh (1833-1891) was elected MP for Northampton in 1880, but refused to take the oath as he was not a Christian, and was expelled from Parliament. He was re-elected and continued to be rejected until 1886 when he finally took the oath. Having taken up his seat, Bradlaugh spoke in favour of Irish Home Rule and land redistribution. He founded the National Secular Society in 1866. From "The Illustrated London News Record of the Glorious Reign of Queen Victoria 1837-1901: The Life and Accession of King Edward VII. and the Life of Queen Alexandra". [London, 1901]