HOL'YOAKE. Cront;F: ,10,con (1g17 1906 ). An English writer, lecturer, and reformer, particularly identified with the 'cooperative Mt I% ment: Ile was born in Birmingham. England; was educated at the Mechanics' Institution there, taught mathematics for a time, and while still young hecame widely known as a radieal in poli tics and religion. attracting attention in particu la• by his advocacy of the theories of Robert Owen (q.v.). Ile early became especially inter ested in the theory and practice of coi)peration. was active in movement for the organization of the so-called 'Rochdale Pioneers' in 1843, and subsequently was largely engaged as a lecturer and writer in the interests of co6peration. In 1642 he was imprisoned for six months for blas phemy, his being the last conviction on that charge in England. Soon afterwards he devised a moral system. known as 'secularism' which he ad•iwatcd in public speeches and in the press. For a time he was president of the London Secular Society, the central organization of Secu larism. Ile was instrumental in steuring the repeal
of the so-called 'tax upon knowledge' in 1854. He edited at various limes the Yew lloral World. the Reasoner I from 1846 to 1866). and the Cans( of the People, in which he contended vigorously for his views; and published numerous hooks, includ ing: History of the Rochdale Pioneers (IS:i7); The History of Coiiperalion in England (I575); Life of Joseph Rayner Stephens, Preacher and Polak-al Orator IISSI); Self Heins One /./undred Years _tqo IS90 I ; The Coijperafire More men( of 7'o-Day I1391) ; Sixty Years of an Agi tator's Life I IS921, an interesting though some what rambling ant obiography ; N a ure and Origin of Secularism, Showing that Where Free Common I y Ertd.e Begins (IS9G): and Jubilee History of the Leeds ro op, ratire Society (1897).