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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Charles Bradlaugh
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(1833–91) Atheist and freethinker, son of a solicitor's clerk, who was for many years a colleague of Annie *Besant in furthering unpopular causes. His most famous struggle came after his election in 1880 as an independent radical MP for Northampton, when he was unable to take his seat because he was neither allowed to affirm (legally a commitment as strong as an oath, but not involving the Bible) nor, as a known atheist, to take the oath (though he was willing to do so). He was re-elected four times before finally being permitted to take the oath and his seat in 1886.
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