Rationalist Association
Encyclopedia
The Rationalist Association, originally the Rationalist Press Association, is an organization in the United Kingdom
, founded in 1899 by a group of free thinkers who were unhappy with the increasing political and decreasingly intellectual tenor of the British secularist movement
. The purpose of the Press Association was to publish literature that was too anti-religious to be handled by main stream publishers and book sellers. The RPA changed its name to the 'Rationalist Association' in 2002.
, the publisher who printed the National Reformer and a majority of Charles Bradlaugh
's books. In 1890 Watts formed the Propagandist Press Committee, with George Jacob Holyoake as president, in order to circumvent the problem caused by booksellers who refused to handle secularist books. Holyoke remained president as the Committee changed its name to the Rationalist Press Committee and finally settling on the Rationalist Press Association in 1899. Members of the association paid a subscription fee and received books annually to the value of that fee.
The Association became quite successful in 1902 when it started selling reprints of serious scientific works by authors like Julian Huxley
, Ernst Haeckel
and Matthew Arnold
. They achieved even greater success through the Watts and Co. Thinker's Library
book series, published from 1929 until 1951 under the leadership of Charles Watts' son, Fredrick. Their continued success in selling books of a heretical nature, contributed to a growing rationalist zeal in the British public and a growing demand for this type of heretical literature. By 1959 the Association had reached its highest membership, with over 5,000 members. Yet its success also contributed to its demise. Rationalist literature became too popular in future decades and their readership was stolen by larger more established mainstream publishers. The result was a steady decline in membership.
In 2002 the R.P.A changed its name to the Rationalist Association, and currently publishes the bi-monthly New Humanist
magazine. In 2006, Jonathan Miller
was chosen to be its president. He said in response to being chosen, "Not believing in religion is very widespread but I think this community gets overlooked. I am flattered and honoured".
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, founded in 1899 by a group of free thinkers who were unhappy with the increasing political and decreasingly intellectual tenor of the British secularist movement
Secularism
Secularism is the principle of separation between government institutions and the persons mandated to represent the State from religious institutions and religious dignitaries...
. The purpose of the Press Association was to publish literature that was too anti-religious to be handled by main stream publishers and book sellers. The RPA changed its name to the 'Rationalist Association' in 2002.
History
The impetus for the creation of the Rationalist Press Association can be traced back to Charles Albert WattsCharles Albert Watts
Charles Albert Watts was an English secularist editor and publisher. He founded the journal Watts's Literary Guide, which later became the New Humanist magazine, and the Rationalist Press Association. His father Charles Watts was also a prominent secularist writer...
, the publisher who printed the National Reformer and a majority of Charles Bradlaugh
Charles Bradlaugh
Charles Bradlaugh was a political activist and one of the most famous English atheists of the 19th century. He founded the National Secular Society in 1866.-Early life:...
's books. In 1890 Watts formed the Propagandist Press Committee, with George Jacob Holyoake as president, in order to circumvent the problem caused by booksellers who refused to handle secularist books. Holyoke remained president as the Committee changed its name to the Rationalist Press Committee and finally settling on the Rationalist Press Association in 1899. Members of the association paid a subscription fee and received books annually to the value of that fee.
The Association became quite successful in 1902 when it started selling reprints of serious scientific works by authors like Julian Huxley
Julian Huxley
Sir Julian Sorell Huxley FRS was an English evolutionary biologist, humanist and internationalist. He was a proponent of natural selection, and a leading figure in the mid-twentieth century evolutionary synthesis...
, Ernst Haeckel
Ernst Haeckel
The "European War" became known as "The Great War", and it was not until 1920, in the book "The First World War 1914-1918" by Charles à Court Repington, that the term "First World War" was used as the official name for the conflict.-Research:...
and Matthew Arnold
Matthew Arnold
Matthew Arnold was a British poet and cultural critic who worked as an inspector of schools. He was the son of Thomas Arnold, the famed headmaster of Rugby School, and brother to both Tom Arnold, literary professor, and William Delafield Arnold, novelist and colonial administrator...
. They achieved even greater success through the Watts and Co. Thinker's Library
Thinker's Library
The Thinker's Library was a series of 140 small hardcover books published for the Rationalist Press Association by Watts & Co., London between 1929 and 1951. They consisted of a selection of essays, literature, and extracts from greater works by various classical and contemporary humanists and...
book series, published from 1929 until 1951 under the leadership of Charles Watts' son, Fredrick. Their continued success in selling books of a heretical nature, contributed to a growing rationalist zeal in the British public and a growing demand for this type of heretical literature. By 1959 the Association had reached its highest membership, with over 5,000 members. Yet its success also contributed to its demise. Rationalist literature became too popular in future decades and their readership was stolen by larger more established mainstream publishers. The result was a steady decline in membership.
In 2002 the R.P.A changed its name to the Rationalist Association, and currently publishes the bi-monthly New Humanist
New Humanist
New Humanist is a monthly magazine published by the Rationalist Association in the UK. It has been in print for 125 years; starting out life as Watts's Literary Guide, founded by C. A. Watts in November 1885....
magazine. In 2006, Jonathan Miller
Jonathan Miller
Sir Jonathan Wolfe Miller CBE is a British theatre and opera director, author, physician, television presenter, humorist and sculptor. Trained as a physician in the late 1950s, he first came to prominence in the 1960s with his role in the comedy revue Beyond the Fringe with fellow writers and...
was chosen to be its president. He said in response to being chosen, "Not believing in religion is very widespread but I think this community gets overlooked. I am flattered and honoured".
See also
- British Humanist AssociationBritish Humanist AssociationThe British Humanist Association is an organisation of the United Kingdom which promotes Humanism and represents "people who seek to live good lives without religious or superstitious beliefs." The BHA is committed to secularism, human rights, democracy, egalitarianism and mutual respect...
- International Humanist and Ethical UnionInternational Humanist and Ethical UnionThe International Humanist and Ethical Union is an umbrella organisation embracing humanist, atheist, rationalist, secular, skeptic, freethought and Ethical Culture organisations worldwide. Founded in Amsterdam in 1952, the IHEU is a democratic union of more than 100 member organizations in 40...
- National Secular SocietyNational Secular SocietyThe National Secular Society is a British campaigning organisation that promotes secularism and the separation of church and state. It holds that no-one should gain advantage or disadvantage because of their religion or lack of religion. It was founded by Charles Bradlaugh in 1866...
- Rationalist Society of AustraliaRationalist Society of AustraliaThe Rationalist Society of Australia promotes the interests of rationalists nationally in Australia. It is the operational arm of the movement in Australia...
- South Place Ethical SocietySouth Place Ethical SocietyThe South Place Ethical Society, based in London at Conway Hall, is thought to be the oldest surviving freethought organisation in the world, and is the only remaining Ethical society in the United Kingdom...