Bygones Worth Remembering, Vol. 1 (of 2)

"Bygones Worth Remembering, Vol. 1 (of 2)" by George Jacob Holyoake is an autobiographical work written in the early 20th century. This volume encapsulates personal reflections and historical commentary rooted in Holyoake's life experiences and the socio-political landscape of his time. The author aims to reflect on the lessons learned from the past, emphasizing the value of remembering bygone events to inform present and future actions in both personal and public spheres. The opening of the book introduces the author's philosophical stance, arguing against the notion of "letting bygones be bygones." Holyoake insists that understanding past mistakes and experiences is essential for growth and progress. He shares his personal anecdotes, beginning with his birth and early life, touching on significant figures and movements that influenced his thoughts, such as the Chartist movement and the impact of prominent thinkers like Robert Owen. The narrative establishes a premise of valuing the lessons from history, positioning Holyoake as an advocate for inquiry and reasoned dialogue about societal issues, which will be explored further in subsequent chapters. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

George Jacob Holyoake was an English secularist, co-operator and newspaper editor. He coined the terms secularism in 1851 and "jingoism" in 1878. He edited a secularist paper, the Reasoner, from 1846 to June 1861, and a co-operative one, The English Leader, in 1864–1867.