Commonwealth, Great Britain, or Ireland

Bolitho, Hector, 1897-1974New Zealand-born author Hector Bolitho describes how he came to value solitude and leisure over the fear of being alone and the desire to be in constant competition with others.

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Dupuch, Etienne, SirBahaman newspaperman Etienne Dupuch, Editor and Publisher of the Nassau Daily Tribune, describes how his newspaper has been run in humble reliance on God, and describes his belief in the efficacy of prayer and in freedom from fear of death.

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Laing, NoraSouth African-born journalist Nora Laing describes the process of how she came to believe in the immortality of the soul and in a life’s purpose that extended beyond fulfilling physical needs and desires.

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Linkletter, Art, 1912-2010Canadian-born entertainer Art Linkletter talks about his experiences in the entertainment industry as a host and announcer and how his focus on his own abilities, limits and performance, as well as his appreciation of people, have contributed to his success.

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MacMillan, Ernest, Sir, 1893-1973

Canadian composer and conductor Ernest Macmillan describes the importance of life in the world and its immaterial mystery and how one must find the purpose in life and enjoy it as best as one can in order to glorify God.

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Menzies, P. K.Canadian-born surgeon P. K. Menzies describes his belief in the physician’s responsibility to treat his patients with respect and dignity, and explains how his study of the intricate workings of the human body formed his belief that the universe must have been designed by a “supreme architect.”

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Penfield, Wilder, 1891-1976U.S.-born Wilder Penfield, Professor of Neurology at McGill University, describes his feeling of purpose and destiny when his boat was torpedoed during World War I and the relationship between science and religion.

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Spender, PercyAustralian ambassador to the United States, Percy Spenders explains how and why it is important for people to consider the future one is leaving for the following generation and states his belief that it is our duty to create a better world in which the next generation can live without fear.

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Taylor, Harold, 1914-1993Canadian-born educator Harold Taylor expresses his belief in the essential goodness of people and their natures and describes his philosophy that quality of life and faith in the future is a consequence of developing this goodness to live in harmony with other people.

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Watson, Lucile, 1879-1962Canadian-born actor Lucile Watson recounts her childhood discovery of the knowledge that she could change herself for the better, and, after successes with simple things such as maintaining her hair and quitting nail-biting, she developed a philosophy for life, including a belief that God was in everything and made everything.

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Winston, Helen, 1925-1972Canadian-born actor Helen Winston describes her experiences of trying to become an actress (working as a waitress in order to study people) and states her beliefs that there is a little bit of godliness in every person, that individuals have a basic impulse towards virtue, and that it is important to value the beauty and love available in the present moment.

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Angell, Norman, 1874-1967Journalist and author Norman Angell describes his belief that evil will triumph over good in society unless individuals recognize their own personal capacity for evil and strive to overcome this tendency through self-discipline.

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Barry, Gerald Reid, Sir, 1898-Sir Gerald Barry, a journalist and editor, talks about the changes in the world after World War II, his relationship to Christianity and his belief that there is no life after death and so one must appreciate and live one’s own life to the fullest extent.

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Beveridge, William Henry Beveridge, Baron, 1879-1963Indian-born economist, lawyer, author, and journalist Lord Beveridge states his belief in “vicarious immortality” and in the value both in leaving a legacy of virtue and in following the legacy left by Christ the man.

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Birkett, Norman Birkett, Baron, 1883-1962Lord Birkett, Lord Justice of Appeal, explains that, despite his firsthand experiences at Nuremberg, he still has faith in the inherent goodness of people and their ability to progress towards a peaceful future.

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Bonham Carter, Violet, 1887-1969Violet Bonham Carter, Vice President of the Liberal Party, describes her Prime Minister father’s influence on her life; and states her belief in the “absolute value of truth,” in the diverse means (religion, philosophy, poetry, nature) of arriving at that truth, and in the courage to think honestly.

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Boothby, Robert John Graham, Baron, 1900-1986Robert Boothby, a member of the British Parliament, discusses the incomprehensibility of life and the Universe and describes his efforts to improve society and life through politics and economics.

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Boulding, Kenneth E. (Kenneth Ewart), 1910-1993British-born economist Kenneth Boulding explains that as a Quaker and an economist he understands that pure scientific knowledge is important but meaningless if unaccompanied by an appreciation for the intuitive and spiritual side of life, which he experiences through prayer and contemplation.

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Brabazon, John Theodore Cuthbert Moore-Brabazon, Baron, 1884-1964Lord Brabazon, Minister of Transport and Minister of Aircraft Production, describes his beliefs that a divine, omnipotent Jesus is also an individual’s personal link to God, that Jesus visited England, that merit should be based on intelligence or character rather than birth, that extraterrestial life does not exist, that humans have and must take responsibility for their free will, and that the English-speaking perspective and moral code is the best yet produced.

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Brogan, D. W. (Denis William), 1900-1974Denis Brogan, Professor of Political Science at Cambridge University, explains that he doesn’t share the certainty or types of belief that many adherents of world religions claim, but he does believe that love is better than hate, and that the love of friends gives meaning to life.

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Casson, Hugh, 1910-1999Lord Casson, an architect, describes his appreciation and preference for the simple pleasures he derives from life, art and family, and expresses his relative disinterest in religion and politics.

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Dale, Henry H. (Henry Hallett), 1875-1968Scientist Henry Dale describes his belief in the “supreme value of truth” and the need for science to join forces with religion to help explain both material reality and our immaterial feelings of free will and a moral purpose in life.

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Darwin, Charles Galton, Sir, 1887-1962Physicist Charles G. Darwin describes his belief that human nature (as it stands) will lead to a decline in social conditions, unless society focuses on the science of heredity.

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Deakin, ArthurLabor leader Arthur Deakin states his beliefs both in an individual’s responsibility to serve others and in the individual’s right to freedom of conscience and expression.

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Edelman, Maurice, 1911-1975Politician Maurice Edelman describes his youthful ideal of creating a more just society that prompted him to go into British politics, his eventual disillusionment and cynicism, and the reawakening of his ideal through a visit to the site of Struthof, a former Nazi concentration camp.

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Evans, Edith, Dame, 1888-1976Actor Edith Evans describes how she believes that good is stronger than evil, that following Christ’s command to love God and one’s neighbors will bring about a better world, and that fear of war and social chaos can be answered by relying on the power of good to overcome.

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Fry, Margery, 1874-1958Prison reformer Margery Fry describes her belief in both Schweitzer’s “reverence for life” as well as a “reverence for truth” and how application of these beliefs will lead to the self’s service to the “not-self” (other people).

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Grenfell, Joyce, 1910-1979Entertainer Joyce Grenfell describes her belief that the Universe and God are inherently good, a belief which gives her faith and tolerance.

Griffith, Ivor, 1891-1961Welsh-born Dr. Ivor Griffith, President and Research Director of the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science, describes several people of different faiths which all pray to the same God and imagines them all before St. Peter at the gates of heaven, then describes the accounting that will take place and why they will all be judged equally regardless of their faiths or their race.

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Guthrie, Tyrone, Sir, 1900-1971Theatrical producer Guthrie Tyrone describes his belief that concepts traditionally considered opposites (God vs. the Devil, good vs. evil, success vs. failure, happiness vs. unhappiness) are really points on the same spectrum, and impossible to fully separate.

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Hailsham of St. Marylebone, Quintin Hogg, Baron, 1907-2001Viscount Hailsham considers and rejects the idea of materialism and embraces an immaterial universe at the center of which is Jesus Christ who can redeem the suffering and sins of mankind.

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Hamilton, Mary Agnes, 1884-1966Journalist Mary Agnes Hamilton describes her belief in the soul and the bond it creates between fellow human beings, and her belief in absolute values that remains strong despite the evils of Nazism and Communism.

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Heard, Gerald, 1889-1971British-born author Gerald Heard describes his perspectives on moral laws and the freedoms we must obtain to achieve true contentment in our life, free of fears and anxiety.

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Hoyle, Fred, SirMathematician Fred Hoyle describes his belief that morality is merely a matter of what outcomes will benefit a nation, and that, since conflict happens when nations outgrow their resources, we should address the issue of overpopulation in England and America.

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Humphreys, Christmas, 1901-1983Christmas Humphreys recounts his search for beliefs that he could live by, and states his beliefs in the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism.

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Hunt, John Hunt, Baron, 1910-1998Indian-born mountaineer Sir John Hunt describes his belief that all worthwhile achievements are accomplished with the help of inspiration and ultimately, God.

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Huxley, Aldous, 1894-1963British-born novelist Aldous Huxley describes his belief that the ideal society towards which he must strive is one that reduces the number of temptations for its citizens.

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Joubert de la Ferté, Philip, Sir, b. 1887Indian-born Sir Philip Joubert, Director of Public Relations in the Air Ministry, describes his beliefs in the goodness of humans, in the importance of self-sacrifice and duty, and in the uncertainty of believing in the simple faith of the past.

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Kemsley, James Gomer Berry, Viscount, 1883-1968Newspaper proprietor Lord Kemsley describes his beliefs in the importance of family life, home-made entertainment, and self-reliance.

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Lawrence, Geoffrey, Baron Oaksey, 1880-1971Lord Oaksey emphasizes the importance of keeping one’s values strong but simple so that they may remain solid, and also to be conscious of right and wrong, and also to be aware of opportunity or “luck,” then concludes with a poem by Adam Lindsey Gordon.

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Lea, Joshua M.British-born insurance executive Joshua Lea describes his beliefs (based on the book of Ecclesiastes) that an afterlife would be a surprise but not an unpleasant one; that humanity is not inherently sinful, but only its inventions; that liberty is essential to allow individuals to live by their own decisions; and that it is his responsibility to exercise his intellect, curiosity, and reason.

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Lester, John A. (John Ashby), 1915-1983British-born English teacher John Lester explains the importance of education and sports in teaching children to be good and remembers the advice of his mentor John Meggs: that he must love his students if he is to teach them.

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Lloyd, Frank, 1887-1960British-born motion picture producer Frank Lloyd recounts how he met his wife through a series of events, and describes his beliefs that trying to flout God’s rule leads to disappointment and regret and that human beings are created in God’s image with an innate sense of religion and understanding of right and wrong.

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Lloyd George, Megan, 1902-1966Politician Megan Lloyd George states how her generation, which grew up during WWI, has never known true peace, and describes her belief that one’s perspective will never be quite accurate without a spiritual component.

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Lyon, P. H. B. (Percy Hugh Beverley), 1893-1986Educator Hugh Lyon talks about God and man and explains that the noble qualities of man, such as love, valor and heroism, prove that humans must be the children of God, and that God gives life meaning and purpose.

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MacIver, Robert M. (Robert Morrison), 1882-1970British-born sociologist Robert MacIver describes his belief that no matter how thoroughly he pursues knowledge of the world, he realizes that there will always be aspects yet to be explained, leaving room for wonder in his view of the world.

MacNeice, Louis, 1907-1963Poet and dramatist Louis MacNeice defines beliefs as statements of personal preference, and describes his belief that the world can avoid anarchism because people share many of the same preferences, including the desire to build an orderly society.

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Maxwell-Fyfe, David, 1900-1967David Maxwell-Fyfe, British Home Secretary and Minister for Welsh Affairs, describes his beliefs in the faith of a romantic: a faith with the conviction and idealism to address the problems of the age and which recognizes humanity’s need for spiritual advancement, in addition to scientific and material achievement.

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Moran, Charles McMoran Wilson, Baron, 1882-1977Charles Wilson, personal physician to Sir Winston Churchill, recounts how one judged a person during World War I and the importance of altruism and selflessness in determining a person’s character.

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Muggeridge, Malcolm, 1903-1990Malcolm Muggeridge, humorist and Editor of Punch Magazine, talks about the immutability, or changelessness, of life and the imperfection of the human condition; however, he emphasizes the need to accept imperfection and permanence and appreciate life for what it is and not for what one hopes it may be one day.

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Murray, GilbertGilbert Murray, a professor of Greek and poetry, describes the religious importance of poetry in his life and how his experiences in WWI guided his efforts to prevent future war in his work with the League of Nations and beyond.

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Noyes, Alfred, 1880-1958Poet and critic Alfred Noyle describes his belief that the complexity of the world can only be attributed to God, and that the clearest revelation of God can be found by looking at the human soul.

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Pickles, Wilfred, 1904-1978Entertainer Wilfred Pickles talks about his faith in the “common man” and that it is the work of these people that make a difference in the world.

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Potter, GillieComedian Gillie Potter states his belief in the power of wit and “foolishness” to communicate truth, and describes his belief that his task is to bring merriness back to a modern zeitgeist that is currently devoid of humor.

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Rank, J. Arthur, 1888-1972Film producer J. Arthur Rank expresses his faith in God and humanity and the power of faith to transform the world into a peaceful society.

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Rothenstein, John, 1901-1992Director of the Tate Museum, John Rothenstein describes the path that led him to the Roman Catholic Church as an adolescent and why he continues to be part of the Church.

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Sackville-West, V. (Victoria), 1892-1962Author Vita Sackville-West describes her belief in an impersonal force, and her belief that, contrary to organized religion’s creed, humans are insignificant specks in the galaxy.

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Scott, Peter, 1909-1989Painter and ornithologist Peter Scott describes his belief in painting and science as a means by which to discover truth, and describes the wide variety of interests that provide him a busy life.

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Simon, John Allsebrook Simon, Viscount, 1873-1954Lawyer and politician Viscount Simon describes his belief that life is like a train which must come to an end at some point during the journey, but an individual should not view life with dread, even if he does not believe in an afterlife.

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Spry, Constance, 1886-1960Florist and social reformer Constance Spry describes how she adopted her father’s love of truth, justice, beauty, and poetry, and explains her father’s practice of listening to, rather than judging, the beliefs and opinions of others.

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Stacy-Judd, RobertBritish-born architect Robert Stacy-Judd relates an experience from early in his career when unemployment left him homeless and in despair; however, rather than taking his own life, he had the opportunity to prevent another from committing suicide, establishing his faith in divine help, prayer, and a sense of humor.

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Toynbee, Arnold, 1889-1975Historian Arnold Toynbee describes his belief that human beings have no certain knowledge of right and wrong, yet must still attempt to live life unselfishly, and his belief that love provides life with purpose.

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Unwin, Stanley, Sir, 1884-1968Publisher Stanley Unwin describes his beliefs in tolerance, reverence, beauty, liberty, justice, law, progress (despite some adjustments caused by WWI), and the happiness that can be found through work prompted by love of something.

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Ustinov, PeterActor, dramatist, and radio broadcaster Peter Ustinov describes his belief that organized religion is oppressive, and that doubt, liberalism, the individual, moral courage, and the privacy of the human conscience are all essential to avoid religious oppression.

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Vansittart, Robert Gilbert Vansittart, Baron, 1881-1957Diplomat Lord Vansittart describes his belief that there is no compromise possible between good and evil, and that an individual must make a stand against evil.

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Wilson, SteuartTenor Steuart Wilson describes the search for truth and why a love for the truth must also be accompanied by the will to act on deeply felt convictions.

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Woodcock, George, 1904-1979Trade unionist George Woodcock describes the experiences he had growing up that led him to the belief in fairness and justice and also propelled him towards involvement in the labor movement.

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Worthington, E. Barton (Edgar Barton), 1905-Scientist Dr. Edgar Worthington describes his belief in the mutability of beliefs and how his personal beliefs evolved out of traditional religious dogma into a wider appreciation for nature and beauty and principles irrespective of doctrine. He also describes his perspective of Africa as an European immigrant to the continent.

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Wrench, Evelyn, 1882-1966Sir Evelyn Wrench, Editor and Chairman of The Spectator, describes how an encounter with extreme poverty shook his faith in God, and how an experience at the funeral service of King Edward VII restored that faith, as he became more inclusive in his beliefs and practices.

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Day Lewis, C. (Cecil), 1904-1972Irish-born poet and author Cecil Day Lewis describes faith as the core of an individual’s being, and states his faith (defined thusly) as the creation of poems.

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Hughes, JohnIrish-born John Hughes talks about living honestly as a taxicab driver in New York City.

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West, Rebecca, 1892-1983Irish-born author Rebecca West describes the importance of individual liberty and how it can be the cause of conflict, yet how love and law can provide guidance.