Rebels, radicals, and rationalists: a secret history
Wednesday, 3 December 2025
- Time
- 18:15 - 20:30
- Venue
- The Devon & Exeter Institution, Exeter, EX1 1EZ
- Price
- Free
Free talk about Free Thinkers in the Exeter area by Madeleine Goodall, Humanist Heritage Manager at Humanists UK.
More Information (Radio Exe is not responsible for external websites)
An evening of local humanist history - discover the fascinating world of rationalism and reform in Exeter.
In 1825, a local man opposed the creation of a Mechanics' Institute in Exeter, declaring himself for 'God, the Church and the King, and for every other useful thing', but heartily against this opportunity for working people's education. But what about those who believed knowledge and reason to be the most useful things of all?
Join us to explore Exeter's rich history of free thought and humanist action. We’ll encounter a ‘Priest of Nature’, a radical publisher, a powerful Bishop who sought to crush 'blasphemous publications', and many more. From Richard Carlile’s vivid accounts in The Republican to the first meetings of the Exeter Humanist Society over a century later, discover some of the people who dared to think differently in Devon.
This talk will be delivered by Madeleine Goodall, Humanist Heritage Manager at Humanists UK.
In 1825, a local man opposed the creation of a Mechanics' Institute in Exeter, declaring himself for 'God, the Church and the King, and for every other useful thing', but heartily against this opportunity for working people's education. But what about those who believed knowledge and reason to be the most useful things of all?
Join us to explore Exeter's rich history of free thought and humanist action. We’ll encounter a ‘Priest of Nature’, a radical publisher, a powerful Bishop who sought to crush 'blasphemous publications', and many more. From Richard Carlile’s vivid accounts in The Republican to the first meetings of the Exeter Humanist Society over a century later, discover some of the people who dared to think differently in Devon.
This talk will be delivered by Madeleine Goodall, Humanist Heritage Manager at Humanists UK.
Venue
The Devon & Exeter Institution
7 Cathedral Close
Exeter
EX1 1EZ
Dates
The event runs from 18:15 to 20:30 on the following dates.
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