The Rationalist collection
The Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA) has been influential in its involvement in the educational, economic, religious and political debates in Australian society. The Rationalist Library was founded in 1909 by the first Secretary of the Victorian Rationalist Association (VRA), Edward Martineau Higginson, to support its campaigns and promote public debate.
We accepted the Rationalist Library as one of our research collections. This collection of books, journals and pamphlets is now called the Rationalist Collection.
What's in the collection
The Rationalist Society of Australia summarises its interests in the following statement: "The Rationalist Society of Australia prefers reason to prejudice, evidence to faith; promotes secular ethics and education; and holds lectures, conferences and social activities."
As a result the Rationalist Collection contains books, pamphlets and journals on a diverse range of subjects including:
- Australian history
- Australian politics
- education
- theology
- economics
- civil society
- anthropology.
Works on philosophy, especially Humanism and Free Thought, are a feature of the collection. Many of the publications come from the Rationalist Press Association based in England but with branches in many countries world-wide. Featured authors include Joseph McCabe and Emanuel Haldeman-Julius.
View the short video showcasing the materials in the Rationalist Collection.
Access to the collection
The Rationalist Collection is a research collection. The items can't be borrowed, but may be viewed on appointment.
In the library catalogue, these items have the prefix FTS RATIONALIST before the shelf number.
This collection is currently in storage. To enquire about the Rationalist Collection, please email Special Collections librarians on . We will reply to your email within 5 working days (Monday–Friday).
