Radical Roots 

Rev. John Goodwyn Barmby – English utopian socialist, feminist, and Unitarian minister, described as “ardent and truth-loving, fearless and uncompromising; but also tolerant, sympathetic, and hospitable.”

Born in Suffolk in 1820, the son of a solicitor, Barmby and his wife Catherine were leading figures in the utopian socialist, communist and Chartist movements. Together they founded the Communist Church movement in the 1840s and corresponded with Friedrich Engels, co-author with Karl Marx of the Communist Manifesto. They were staunch supporters of women’s rights, including the right to vote.

In 1848, Barmby joined the Unitarian movement and led the Edmund Kell Unitarian, Southampton church before serving as minister to Westgate Chapel, Wakefield, from 1858 to 1879.

He died in 1881 and was buried at Framlingham Unitarian Meeting House in his native Suffolk.

Find out more about him here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Goodwyn_Barmby