Linda Smith

From Philosopedia

Linda Smith (25 January 1958 - 27 February 2006)

Smith, a comedian who became president of the British Humanist Association (BHA), was born in the London suburb of Erith, the daughter of a railway worker. Early on and in her secondary school, she disagreed with and rejected traditional religion and theistic belief. At Sheffield University she majored in English and Drama, then wrote, produced, acted, and became a stand-up comic. Despite her dyslexia, she read widely and included in her act erudite references to the Bible and literary writers.

In 2002 she was voted "Wittiest Living Person" by listeners to BBC Radio 4's "Word of Mouth." She included deadpan diatribes about everyday irritations, described former home secretary David Blukett as being "Satan's bearded folk singer," and came up with offbeat obituaries.

On the radio show "Devout Skeptics," she told of her atheism, her outlook on religion, and her philosophy of personal responsibility. In July 1994, the British Humanist Association by a unanimous vote of the trustees voted her in as their president. As a spokesperson, she was a strong voice against faith-based and sectarian education.

After her death at the age of 48 from ovarian cancer, a memorial meeting at the Theatre Royal, Stratford East was dedicated to the BHA. Her life and work was honoured at the British Academy Televison Awards in 2006.