Northampton commemoration to explore Charles Bradlaugh’s role as an Italian ‘secret agent’

The 24th annual Charles Bradlaugh Commemoration will take place in Abington Square at 3pm on Sunday, September 27.

This year’s event, entitled Bradlaugh’s Italian Adventure, will celebrate his links to Italian revolutionary Giuseppe Garibaldi and the 19th-century campaign to unify Italy.

Organisers are encouraging those attending to wear a red shirt or blouse in recognition of Garibaldi’s famous Redshirt volunteers.

Bradlaugh, who was first elected as an MP for Northampton in 1880, is best known for his atheism and his lengthy dispute over taking the parliamentary Oath of Allegiance.

However, organisers say his support for international movements seeking national self-determination and democratic reform is often overlooked.

Bradlaugh developed a friendship with republican activist Giuseppe Mazzini, who was living in exile in London, during the 1850s.

In 1860, Bradlaugh spoke at a series of meetings across Britain to raise support and money for Garibaldi’s campaign. These included an event in Northampton chaired by respected local Baptist Thomas Adams.

His daughter, Hypatia Bradlaugh Bonner, later recalled that her father received a treasured letter of thanks from Garibaldi.

Bradlaugh also reportedly used work for a legal firm with Italian business interests as cover for several visits to Italy in 1861. He passed correspondence between Mazzini, fellow exiles and their comrades in Italy.

During one journey, Bradlaugh was challenged by Papal police who wanted to search his luggage. Fearing arrest, he pulled a revolver before persuading the captain of his boat to leave the port before reinforcements arrived.

Northampton’s association with Garibaldi continues through The Garibaldi Hotel in Bailiff Street, which has operated since 1860.

Refreshments will be available at The Charles Bradlaugh pub from 2pm before the commemoration. Attendees will then be invited to The Garibaldi Hotel following the event.