"Isn't it true that we are the stories we tell ourselves?" — S.I. Martin This week on Humanism Now, we’re joined by S.I. Martin—historian, author, and patron of Humanists UK—whose work has reshaped how we understand Black British history and the power of storytelling. From his upbringing in a religious family in Bedford to decades spent uncovering erased narratives, Steve shares how early exposure to music, books, and doubt led him to scepticism and ultimately humanism. We discuss: The import...

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"Isn't it true that we are the stories we tell ourselves?" — S.I. Martin

This week on Humanism Now, we’re joined by S.I. Martin—historian, author, and patron of Humanists UK—whose work has reshaped how we understand Black British history and the power of storytelling.

From his upbringing in a religious family in Bedford to decades spent uncovering erased narratives, Steve shares how early exposure to music, books, and doubt led him to scepticism and ultimately humanism.

We discuss:

The importance of embedding Black British history into everyday landscapes and classrooms
Robert Wedderburn, revolutionary preacher and free thinker
Unique challenges faced by Black atheists in religious communities
How historical fiction can reshape cultural imagination and offer new identities
Why humanist groups must evolve to become more inclusive, especially for younger generations
The hidden social history of Black-owned pubs in 18th- and 19th-century London

Explore S.I. Martin’s work:

🌐simartin.org.uk

📖 Books by S.I. Martin

❌ @simartin on X

📺 A History of Black Freethought (Humanists UK Convention 2023)

📺 The Beliefs of Black Georgians (Humanist Heritage)

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S.I. Martin

Historian & Author | Patron, Humanists UK

S.I. Martin is a historian, novelist and educator whose work has reshaped how Britain understands its own past. Born in Bedford in 1961 to parents who emigrated from Antigua, he has spent decades recovering narratives erased from the national record, from the lives of Black Georgians to the revolutionary preacher and freethinker Robert Wedderburn.

He is the author of Incomparable World (1996), a novel of Black exiles in eighteenth century London, Britain's Slave Trade (1999), and the children's novels Jupiter Williams (2007) and Jupiter Amidships (2009). He founded the 500 Years of Black London walks almost twenty years ago and works with museums, archives, schools and councils including the Black Cultural Archives, the National Maritime Museum, Tate Britain and The National Archives.

S.I. Martin is a Patron of Humanists UK and lives in South London.

30. S.I. Martin on Uncovering Britain's Hidden Histories & the Power of Storytelling