freethinkers

I'm reading a book called "Freethinkers: A History of American Secularism". It's wonderful if at times a little pedantic. The author is attempting to correct a grave injustice, the systematic removal and suppression of atheists, freethinkers, and secularists, as well as radical liberal religionists, from the historical record. So far its a knockout, with occasional clever asides, sometimes snarky, thrown in.
In reading it I came across the name William Lloyd Garrison, who I dimly remembered. He was an abolitionist and journalist, and published The Liberator, a journal of the same issues. Here's from his first print:

Assenting to the “self-evident truth” maintained in the American Declaration of Independence, “that all men are created equal, and endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights — among which are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” I shall strenuously contend for the immediate enfranchisement of our slave population. In Park-street Church, on the Fourth of July, 1829, in an address on slavery, I unreflectingly assented to the popluar but pernicious doctrine of gradual abolition. I seize this opportunity to make a full and unequivocal recantation, and thus publicly to ask pardon of my God, of my country, and of my brethren the poor slaves, for having uttered a sentiment so full of timidity, injustice and absurdity. A similar recantation, from my pen, was published in the Genius of Universal Emancipation at Baltimore, in September, 1829. My consicence in now satisfied. I am aware, that many object to the severity of my language; but is there not cause for severity? I will be as harsh as truth, and as uncompromising as justice. On this subject, I do not wish to think, or speak, or write, with moderation. No! no! Tell a man whose house is on fire, to give a moderate alarm; tell him to moderately rescue his wife from the hand of the ravisher; tell the mother to gradually extricate her babe from the fire into which it has fallen; — but urge me not to use moderation in a cause like the present. I am in earnest — I will not equivocate — I will not excuse — I will not retreat a single inch — AND I WILL BE HEARD.
— William Lloyd Garrison, "To the Public", The Liberator, January 1, 1831

I'd recommend reading up on some of the notable American freethinkers and atheists, especially Thomas Paine, W G Garrison, and Ernestine Rose. I'm sure there's many more that I'm unaware of, but I'm on my journey. I'll come to them when I do.