Bradlaugh, Charles. Born in 1833. Politician. After working in several humble capacities, enlisted in the army. In 1853 he entered a solicitor's office, and then he achieved a great influence with working men as a Radical, and an antagonist of the Christian religion. His lectures in the Hall of Science, London, on social, political, and religious questions, were very popular, and in 1860 he started the "National Reformer," against which a futile government prosecution was instituted. In 1870, he secured a judicial decision in favor of affirmation in courts of law, but the expenses of the trial made him bankrupt. In 1872, he published his Impeachment of the House of Brunswick," and the question of perpetual pensions always formed one of his favorite subjects. In 1880 he was returned for Northampton to Parliament, but refusing to take the oath, he was not allowed to take his seat until after the general election of 1885, although he was repeatedly returned by the constituency. Afterwards he earned a high reputation in the House of Commons, and though a thorough Radical, opposed the advocates of socialism. In 1889 he visited India, his interest in Indian affairs having always been pronounced. Died 1891.

---