Events
Past Events
The 38th International Hume Society Conference
18th July 2011
Location: The Old College, Edinburgh
HUME AFTER 300 YEARS Hosted by The Hume Society and The Institute for Advanced Study in the Humanities. Papers are invited on any aspect of Hume’s work. http://humesociety.org/CFP2011pdf.pdf
Ancestor Trail
29th May 2011
Location: Quantock Hills, Somerset
Sunday 29th May (Bank Holiday) A 'biological pilgrimage' on the Quantock Hills in Somerset A secular celebration of our common ancestry Based on Richard Dawkins' book The Ancestor's Tale, the Trail represents Darwin's Tree of Life. We will be walking back 3.7 billion years, reuniting with our a
David Hume
12th May 2011, 18:30 - 20:30
Location: Arts Forum, 36 Marina, Hastings
Hastings Humanists Talk marking the tercentennary of the great humanist philosopher (born 26 April, or 7 May, 1711)We meet 6:30 - 8:30 pm on the second Thursday in the month at the Arts Forum, 36 Marina. Entry fee £2.50 (£1.50 for members) http://hastingshumanists.blogspot.com/
The Shelley Lecture: The Necessity of Atheism – Then and Now
29th March 2011, 19:30
Location: Oxford University Museum of Natural History
With Ann WroeChaired by Professor Richard DawkinsMarch 2011 marks 200 years since Percy Bysshe Shelley’s tract “The Necessity of Atheism" was printed, distributed round Oxford and, swiftly, burned. Shelley was expelled from the university for professing atheism.Why was the essay so dangerous? What, in fact,
Thomas Hardy Society - A Weekend in Aldeburgh
25th March 2011
Location: Aldeburgh
Aldeburgh, most famous now for Benjamin Britten, was visited several times by Hardy. He went there to stay with his friend, the writer Edward Clodd; to attend the 150th anniversary celebrations for the poet George Crabbe, a native of Aldeburgh; and, most famously, to spend some time with Florence Dugdale. Clodd liv
Revising Chartism
3rd March 2011, 19:30
Location: Room B14, Department of History (Lenton Grove), University Park, Nottingham University
'Revising Chartism' - lecture given by Professor Malcolm Chase, Leeds University. ALL WELCOME
A Hardy Memorial Service
16th January 2011, 12:15
Location: Westminster Abbey
Meet at 12.15 pm at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior (just inside the main west door) for a short service of poetry and prayers in Poets’ Corner, during which a wreath will be laid - to mark the 83rd anniversary of Hardy’s funeral at the Abbey on 16th January 1928. Participants are welcome to attend the Eucharis
Humanist, Secular and Rationalist organisations in the UK
13th January 2011, 18:30 - 20:30
Location: Arts Forum, 36 Marina, Hastingss
Hastings HumanistsSurvey of Humanist, Secular and Rationalist organisations in the UK, and their history and our relationships with them.Entry fee £2.50 (£1.50 for members) http://hastingshumanists.blogspot.com/
Thomas Hardy Society - Going the Rounds
4th December 2010
Location: Thorncombe Wood
'Going The Rounds' 6.00pm for 6.30pm . Meet at Thorncombe Wood car park (NGR SY726921). A walk, with music and singing, in the footsteps of the Mellstock Quire, led by Furse Swann, Mike Bailey and ‘The Madding Crowd’; via Higher and Lower Bockhampton, progressing to St Michael’s Church, Stinsford, where the
Origin Day
24th November 2010, 11:00 - 17:00
Location: Down House, the Home of Charles Darwin
Enjoy guided talks and tours of the home where Charles Darwin lived with his family for 40 years and wrote one of his most famous works as we commemorate the anniversary of the 'On the Origin of Species'.Purchase your tickets today directly from the site during their standard opening hours or calling them on 01689 859
The 2010 Thomas Hardy London Lecture
11th November 2010, 19:30
Location: Birkbeck College, 30 Russell Square, London WC1
Professor Julian Wolfreys from Loughborough University: 'English losses: Thomas Hardy and the memory of Wessex'.Sponsored by Birkbeck School of English and Humanities. Admission FREE
Vernon Lushington and the Ethics of Positivism
31st October 2010, 11:00
Location: Conway Hall, London
David Taylor is the inaugural recipient of the Blackham Fellowship Award, and will be speaking on the subject of his thesis, the lawyer, aesthete and Positivist, Vernon Lushington (1832-1912). Lushington was, in the words of his friend Matthew Arnold, a traveller “between two worlds, one dead and the other powerl
FREETHOUGHT HISTORY RESEARCH GROUP AGM & Public meeting
16th October 2010, 14:00
Location: Conway Hall
2pm AGMAll are welcome to attend but only members can speak or vote at the agm 3pm PUBLIC MEETING Charles Bradlaugh and John De Morgan : REPUBLICANISM, RIVALRY AND RIOTS SPEAKER : TERRY LIDDLE Hear how Bradlaugh and De Morgan were rival leaders in Secularism and Republicanism in the 1870s. Hear how their rivalry wreck
'Marx and Morris - Why we need them more than ever'
10th October 2010, 18:30
Location: Leicester Secular Hall
Member and Marxist David Grove argues that the account of capitalist society of Karl Marx and Willam Morris, and their hopes of revolution, offer the most ceative way to confront our present predicament.http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=115281691860932&index=1
Thomas Hardy Society - Autumn Walking Weekend
9th October 2010
Location: Abbotsbury
Saturday 9th October A combined event with the Jurassic Coast Trust 10.15 am - Meet at Abbotsbury village main car park, Rodden Row (NGR SY853581) for a circular walk with some gentle climbing. We will climb to the ridge then follow a westerly route before descending to the Chesil Beach. Lunch stop a
Inspired by William Morris
9th October 2010, 10:00
Location: William Morris Gallery, Lloyd Park, Forest Road London E17 4PP
Visit the William Morris Gallery and explore the artistic legacy of Walthamstow's most famous son – designer, craftsman, writer, socialist and conservationist. How relevant is Morris's life and work to artists today? This group show of contemporary art and craft brings together works inspired by William Morris, in a
The Enigma machine and the code breakers at Bletchley Park
8th October 2010, 20:00
Location: The Moser Library, Shrewsbury School, Shropshire
A talk by Dr Mark Baldwin for the Shrewsbury branch of the Historical Association.Further information about his programme and about the Historical Association can be obtained from Mike Morrogh (Tel: 01743280573). Or email: mmm@shrewsbury.org.uk
National Poetry Day
7th October 2010
Location: UK
National Poetry Day 2010 will be on Thursday October 7th and the theme will be HOME. This is a nationwide celebration of poetry past, present and future across the UK. http://www.nationalpoetryday.co.uk/
London Shh...Ahead of Their Time
5th October 2010, 18:00
Location: Benjamin Franklin House, 36 Craven Street London WC2N 5NF
Uncover seven of the city's hidden-gems; small historic houses which tell the stories of fascinating former inhabitants. You’ll find out more about Benjamin Franklin House, Burgh House, Dr Johnson’s House, Emery Walker House, Freud Museum, Handel House Museum and Kelmscott House. Representatives from each of the
Darwin from London to Downe
2nd October 2010, 0:00
Location: Down House, Luxted Road, Downe Kent
Find out more about more about Charles Darwin's early years in London. What happened in these early years in London paved the way for the publication of the book that rocked Victorian society, 'On the Origin of Species'?In March 1837, Charles Darwin having returned from his expedition aboard HMS Beagle, took lodgings i
The Royal Society in the City of London
2nd October 2010, 13:00
Location: The Monument, Monument Street, City of London EC3R 8AH
Fellows of the Royal Society have been furthering the pursuit of knowledge and understanding for 350 years and many of their experiments and investigations were carried out in the City of London. Walk with City of London Guide Dr Caroline Dunmore as she reveals many intriguing sites with links to Fellows of the Royal S
Black History Month
1st October 2010
Location: UK
October is Black History monthhttp://www.blackhistorymonth2010.co.uk/
London’s Learned Societies: Past, Present and Future
1st October 2010, 13:00
Location: The Geological Society, Burlington House, Picadilly, London
Join Lord May for a lecture on the Learned Societies of Burlington Courtyard, past and present.This lecture is one of a series of seven lectures entitled 'Breaking the Mould' about the national Learned and Scientific Societies and the Royal Academy of Arts which share a home in Burlington House. This opening lectu
Young Romantics
23rd September 2010, 13:15
Location: Ondaatje Wing Theatre, National Portrait Gallery
Daisy Hay discusses the myth of the Romantic poet as a solitary, introspective genius, and looks at the youthful circle who gathered around poets Percy Shelley, Leigh Hunt and Lord Byron.Free http://www.npg.org.uk/whatson/events-calendar.php?filterDate=&eventSearch=Enter+keyword...&eventType=&eventKeyword=L
Open House London
18th September 2010
Location: London-wide
Hundreds of great buildings of all types and periods open up their doors to all, completely for FREE. On Saturday 18 September there are regular tours of University College London as well as children’s activities. On Sunday 19 there are regular tours of Methodist Central Hall where Bertrand Russell also lect
Leicester Secular Hall Open Day
12th September 2010, 10:30 - 21:30
Location: 75 Humberstone Gate, Leicester, Leicestershire, LE1 1WB
Guided tours of the building; displays about the history and current activities of the oldest secular society in the world; videos; refreshments. In the evening there will be a talk, "Meet the Members" social event and discussion.Parking in nearby streets and parking lots.Good bus connections; within walking distance o
Science, Religion and Politics: The Royal Society
11th September 2010
Location: Room 6, National Portrait Gallery, London
Marking the 350th anniversary of the foundation of the Royal Society, this display celebrates a key moment in the development of modern science. A number of notable humanists have been members of The Royal Society including: T.H. Huxley (president from 1883-1885), Charles Darwin, Alan Turing and Julian Huxley.The displ
The Nineteenth International Thomas Hardy Conference and Festival
24th July 2010, 12:00 - 12:00
Location: United Church, South Street in Dorchester
The 2010 International Thomas Hardy Conference will mark the 170th anniversary of the birth of Thomas Hardy and take place 24th July - 1st August. Leading Hardy Scholars, Poetry Readings, Lectures, Seminars.Receptions, Suppers, Tastings, New Writing from Wessex, Competition.Guided Wal
Walking Tour - The Freuds in Hampstead
11th July 2010, 10:30 - 12:30
Location: Freud Museum
A fascinating tour exploring the Freud family’s local connections. Join Blue Badge Guide Rachel Kolsky for a fascinating tour exploring the Freud family’s local connections.Sigmund Freud escaped Nazi occupied Vienna in 1938 to 'die in freedom' and his home in Hampstead became a magnet for other European ref
Lecture about Thomas Paine
3rd July 2010, 11:00 - 13:00
Location: Thomas Paine\'s House, Lewes, Sussex
A day trip on to Lewes, Sussex for a lecture about Thomas Paine - a remarkable and courageous radical thinker and author of' 'The Rights of Man'. The talk will take place in his house which is being developed into a museum, and will occupy 2 hours starting at 11am. There is a possibility of seeing his printing
Humanism, Philosophy and the Arts day conference
26th June 2010, 10:00 - 17:30
Location: Conway Hall, Red Lion Square, London
Following on from a successful 2009 day conference on Darwin, Humanism and Science, 26 June 2010 sees day of events on Humanism, Philosophy and the Arts at Conway Hall in London.How does art create meaning in our lives? Is it a secular replacement for religion, or something more? At this special day conference on "Huma
International Humanist Week Display
26th June 2010, 9:00 - 16:00
Location: Watford Central Library
Special materials with information about Humanism and with examples of significant Humanist personalities throughout history will be displayed at Watford Central Library, Hempstead Road, Watford, Hertfordshire WD17 3EU. For further information, please contact John Dowdle, President of Watford Area Humanists on 01923
Humanist Heritage celebration
26th June 2010, 11:00 - 16:00
Location: Bedford Town Centre, Midland Road, outside Woolworths,MK40 1DA
National Humanist Week sees celebrations across the UK.Celebrate the Humanist contribution to happiness across the centuries! If you don't know your Hume from your d'Holbach, don't worry, just come and shake hands with your own local Humanist Heroes in Bedford. You are very welcome to join us at our stan
The ‘History of Humanism: From Democritus to Dawkins
22nd June 2010, 19:30
Location: The Retirement Education Centre, Rothsay Gardens, Bedford
John Severs, will be speaking on 'The ‘History of Humanism: From Democritus to Dawkins’www.bedshumanists.org.uk
International Humanist Week Display
21st June 2010, 10:00 - 8:00
Location: Watford Central Library
Special materials with information about Humanism and with examples of significant Humanist personalities throughout history will be displayed at Watford Central Library, Hempstead Road, Watford, Hertfordshire WD17 3EU.For further information, please contact John Dowdle, President of Watford Area Humanists on 01923-252
The Ancestor's Trail
19th June 2010, 9:00 - 22:00
Location: Quantock Hills, Somerset
A walk through the beautiful Quantock Hills, back in time to the dawn of life! Celebrating our common ancestry, the Ancestor's Trail is modelled on Richard Dawkins' book, The Ancestor's Tale, offering an alternative perspective on the tree of life, viewing speciation backwards as points of "rendez vous" with our increa
