The Freethinker (journal)

The Freethinker is a British secular humanist magazine, founded by G.W. Foote in 1881. It is the world's oldest surviving freethought publication. 
It has always taken an unapologetically atheist, anti-religious stance. In Issue 1 (May, 1881), Foote set out The Freethinker's purpose:
Although closely linked with the National Secular Society for most of its history (NSS Presidents and General Secretaries have at various times also served as Freethinker editor), The Freethinker is strictly autonomous and is not, and never has been, published by the NSS.
In 2006, the magazine's front-page masthead was changed from "Secular humanist monthly" to "The Voice of Atheism since 1881".
Barry Duke is the current editor.
==History==
Following the publication of anti-religious cartoons in the Christmas 1882 edition of The Freethinker, Foote was prosecuted for blasphemy, and sentenced to 12 months imprisonment with hard labour.
==List of Freethinker editors==
Here is a list of editors of The Freethinker from 1881:
*George William Foote, 1881–1915 (Edward Aveling edited the paper during Foote's imprisonment, 1883)
*Chapman Cohen, 1915–1951
*Frank Ridley, 1951–1954
*A Committee consisting of F. A. Hornibrook, Bayard Simmons, G. H. Taylor 1954–1957?
*Colin McCall replaced Simmons in 1957 and became sole editor until December 1965
*David Tribe, January 1966 – July 1966
*Kit Mouat, August 1966 – January 1967
*David Collis, January – November 1967
*Karl Hyde, November 1967 – August 1968
*David Reynolds, September 1968 – July 1970
*William McIlroy, 1970 – December 1971
*Nigel Sinnott, January 1972 – November 1973
*Christopher Morey, November 1973 – December 1974
*William McIlroy, 1975–1976
*Jim Herrick, January 1977 – 1981
*William McIlroy, 1981–1993
*Peter Brearey, 1993–1998
*Barry Duke, 1998–Present
==Bibliography==
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==External links==
* The Freethinker's website
Category:Secularism
Category:Philosophy journals
Category:Freethought
Category:Atheism publications
fi:The Freethinker