Influential Figures in Humanism

Humanism isn’t a new idea—it’s a centuries-long conversation about what it means to live well, think freely, and treat others with dignity. While humanist values can be found across cultures and traditions, the modern humanist movement has been shaped by individuals who dared to ask difficult questions and imagined better ways of living together.

Erasmus of Rotterdam (1466–1536)
Often considered the father of Renaissance humanism, Erasmus was a Catholic priest and scholar who championed reason, tolerance, and education. He challenged corruption within the Church while advocating for intellectual freedom. His call for compassion and critical thinking laid important groundwork for modern secular humanism. “Give light,” he said, “and the darkness will disappear of itself.”

Baruch Spinoza (1632–1677)
A Dutch philosopher excommunicated from his Jewish community for his radical ideas, Spinoza rejected divine intervention and supernaturalism, believing instead in a universe governed by natural laws. He revered reason, ethics, and intellectual freedom—foundations of the humanist worldview.

Mary Wollstonecraft (1759–1797)
A trailblazer for women's rights, Wollstonecraft wrote boldly against the religious and societal norms of her time. She argued that women were not inferior to men by nature but had been denied education and opportunity. Her vision of dignity, autonomy, and equality remains central to humanist thinking today. “I do not wish them [women] to have power over men,” she wrote, “but over themselves.”

Robert G. Ingersoll (1833–1899)
Known as "The Great Agnostic," Ingersoll was a Civil War veteran and orator who promoted freethought and secular ethics. He spoke out against biblical literalism and religious authoritarianism while uplifting the importance of kindness, reason, and personal liberty. “Happiness is the only good. The time to be happy is now. The place to be happy is here. The way to be happy is to make others so.”

Bertrand Russell (1872–1970)
A British philosopher, logician, and Nobel Laureate, Russell was a staunch advocate of reason, science, and peace. His essay Why I Am Not a Christian remains one of the most influential humanist texts of the 20th century. He believed that compassion, critical thinking, and moral clarity could exist without religious foundations.

A. Philip Randolph (1889–1979)
A civil rights leader and labor organizer, Randolph believed in dignity, equality, and nonviolence. He organized the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters and played a major role in the March on Washington. Though not always labeled a humanist, his life and work exemplified the humanist commitment to justice and human dignity.

Margaret Sanger (1879–1966)
The founder of the birth control movement, Sanger believed that reproductive autonomy was essential for freedom and equality. Her advocacy helped shift conversations around health, rights, and science. Though her legacy is complicated by associations with eugenics, her foundational belief in bodily autonomy remains aligned with humanist ethics.

Carl Sagan (1934–1996)
An astronomer and science communicator, Sagan brought wonder and reason together in powerful ways. He invited people to embrace skepticism, curiosity, and awe without superstition. “For small creatures such as we,” he wrote, “the vastness is bearable only through love.” He helped many discover that meaning doesn't require metaphysics—just a shared commitment to truth and care.

Gloria Steinem (b. 1934)
A journalist, activist, and feminist leader, Steinem has spent her life advocating for equality, autonomy, and social justice. Her work is grounded in secular ethics and human-centered values, challenging oppression in all its forms and promoting the dignity of every person.

James Baldwin (1924–1987)
Though spiritually resonant, Baldwin was a sharp critic of religious hypocrisy and systemic injustice. He urged people to confront truth—even when it was painful—and to reclaim their humanity in the face of a dehumanizing world. “We can disagree and still love each other,” he said, “unless your disagreement is rooted in my oppression and denial of my humanity.”

Humanism Is a Tradition—and a Trajectory
The names above don’t define humanism, but they illuminate it. They represent different chapters in a shared story—a tradition of people asking how we might live better lives through reason, empathy, and ethics, rather than dogma or fear.

Humanism is not a closed ideology. It’s a living, evolving framework for living well with others. A way of being that asks us to care more deeply, think more critically, and act more boldly—not because of promised rewards or punishments, but because it’s the right thing to do.

Who shaped your understanding of what it means to be a good human? Who helped you question, grow, and engage with the world more thoughtfully?

Let’s keep learning from the people who’ve walked this path—and keep walking it ourselves.