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George Bedborough
George Bedborough Higgs (10 January 1868 – 7 August 1940) was an English writer, editor, social reformer, journalist, and bookseller. He was involved in late 19th- and early 20th-century reform movements including freethought, secularism, vegetarianism, animal rights, birth control, the legitimation of illegitimate children, and free love. He was secretary of the Legitimation League and edited its journal, The Adult.
In 1898, Bedborough was prosecuted for publishing material charged as obscene, including Havelock Ellis's book on homosexuality, Studies in the Psychology of Sex Vol. 2, and writings associated with the Legitimation League. The case, Regina v. Bedborough, led to the formation of a Free Speech Defence Committee, whose supporters included George Bernard Shaw, Edward Carpenter, and G. W. Foote. Bedborough pleaded guilty and was fined £100 (equivalent to £11,238 in 2025). He also agreed to end his association with the League and The Adult, a decision criticised by some former allies.
After the trial, Bedborough continued to write on secularist, vegetarian, and animal advocacy themes. He edited The Children's Realm, a vegetarian magazine for children, and published fiction, poetry, and aphorisms. His works include The Atheist (1919), a poem advocating atheism and vegetarianism, and Prayer: An Indictment (1938), a criticism of prayer. After living for a period in the United States, he returned to England and died in Cambridge in 1940.
George Bedborough Higgs was born in St Giles, London, on 10 January 1868. His father, Edward Squance Higgs, was a retired Church of England preacher and his mother was a poet. He was educated at Dulwich College and began work at the age of 16, founding the Workhouse Aid Society with W. T. Stead. Bedborough later attended university.
In 1887, Bedborough was present at Bloody Sunday in Trafalgar Square. He later wrote for publications including the Sunday Chronicle, Shafts, University Magazine, the Newcastle Weekly Chronicle, and the South London Mail. He was a friend and collaborator of Henry S. Salt, Bertram Dobell, and Ernest Bell.
From 1891 to 1892, Bedborough was a member of the National Society of Lanternists. He also worked occasionally as a lantern operator and lecturer.
On 18 April 1892, he married Louisa Fisher at St George's Church, Jesmond, Northumberland. Judy Greenway states that the marriage was undertaken for the sake of his family and that he had an open relationship with his wife.
Bedborough was a member of the Legitimation League and edited its journal The Adult: A Journal for the Advancement of freedom in Sexual Relationships between 1897 and 1898. The League advocated for the legitimation of illegitimate children and free love. His wife was the League's treasurer.
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George Bedborough
George Bedborough Higgs (10 January 1868 – 7 August 1940) was an English writer, editor, social reformer, journalist, and bookseller. He was involved in late 19th- and early 20th-century reform movements including freethought, secularism, vegetarianism, animal rights, birth control, the legitimation of illegitimate children, and free love. He was secretary of the Legitimation League and edited its journal, The Adult.
In 1898, Bedborough was prosecuted for publishing material charged as obscene, including Havelock Ellis's book on homosexuality, Studies in the Psychology of Sex Vol. 2, and writings associated with the Legitimation League. The case, Regina v. Bedborough, led to the formation of a Free Speech Defence Committee, whose supporters included George Bernard Shaw, Edward Carpenter, and G. W. Foote. Bedborough pleaded guilty and was fined £100 (equivalent to £11,238 in 2025). He also agreed to end his association with the League and The Adult, a decision criticised by some former allies.
After the trial, Bedborough continued to write on secularist, vegetarian, and animal advocacy themes. He edited The Children's Realm, a vegetarian magazine for children, and published fiction, poetry, and aphorisms. His works include The Atheist (1919), a poem advocating atheism and vegetarianism, and Prayer: An Indictment (1938), a criticism of prayer. After living for a period in the United States, he returned to England and died in Cambridge in 1940.
George Bedborough Higgs was born in St Giles, London, on 10 January 1868. His father, Edward Squance Higgs, was a retired Church of England preacher and his mother was a poet. He was educated at Dulwich College and began work at the age of 16, founding the Workhouse Aid Society with W. T. Stead. Bedborough later attended university.
In 1887, Bedborough was present at Bloody Sunday in Trafalgar Square. He later wrote for publications including the Sunday Chronicle, Shafts, University Magazine, the Newcastle Weekly Chronicle, and the South London Mail. He was a friend and collaborator of Henry S. Salt, Bertram Dobell, and Ernest Bell.
From 1891 to 1892, Bedborough was a member of the National Society of Lanternists. He also worked occasionally as a lantern operator and lecturer.
On 18 April 1892, he married Louisa Fisher at St George's Church, Jesmond, Northumberland. Judy Greenway states that the marriage was undertaken for the sake of his family and that he had an open relationship with his wife.
Bedborough was a member of the Legitimation League and edited its journal The Adult: A Journal for the Advancement of freedom in Sexual Relationships between 1897 and 1898. The League advocated for the legitimation of illegitimate children and free love. His wife was the League's treasurer.
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