Emma Martin

Emma Martin (née Bullock; 1811/1812 – 8 October 1851)

She heard the co-operative pioneer Alexander Campbell (1796–1870) in 1839 and he caused her to support the socialist Owenite points of view. At the time Campbell, was known as Robert Owen's "principal Scottish disciple". However, Martin rejected the socialist view that religion was not important. Martin challenged this idea and used her own beliefs to challenge the secular approach. However, it was Martin who was eventually persuaded. She began living with engineer Joshua Hopkins (d. 1852) in 1845 and had her fourth daughter in 1847, as well as graduating in midwifery. Her atheism caused her to be denied hospital positions so she practiced independently from the family home and shop at 100 Long Acre, Covent Garden, London. Her daughters ran a surgical bandage shop from the same address. Martin also gave lectures to women in gynaecology and midwifery, and may have offered contraceptive advice. She died an atheist. Holyoake, who had spoken at her funeral, published The Last Days of Emma Martin: Advocate of Freethought the following year.

Work Religion Superseded, 1844 Baptism, A Pagan Rite, 1844 Tracts for the People, 1844 The Bible No Revelation (1845?) Punishment of Death? A Miniature Treatise of some of the Most Common Female Complaints, 1848

Commemoration A blue plaque in Emma Martin's memory was unveiled in Bristol on 23 February 2023 on the wall of the YMCA on Bridewell Street, the site of her home in the city. This followed a successful campaign led by Bristol Humanists.