| Richard Bithell | |
| Birth Date: | 22 March 1821 |
| Birth Place: | Lewes, Sussex, UK |
| Occupation: | Philosopher, writer |
Richard Bithell (22 March 1821 – 4 December 1902) was an English agnostic philosopher and writer.
Bithell was born at Lewes, Sussex on 22 March 1821.[1] When he was 11, he worked at his father's smithy in Lewes.[2] Due to ill health he later took up teaching. He took courses at the Borough Road Training College to become a teacher of chemistry and mathematics.[2] In 1843, he was appointed master of the British School in Chesterfield. He was transferred to Brighton, Wolverton and London.[2]
Bithell obtained a BSc from London University and a PhD from University of Göttingen.[2] He developed an interest in philosophy and authored a series of books on agnosticism.[2] From 1865 he worked at the banking house of the Rothschilds until his retirement in 1898.[3] His title-pages describe him as "B.Sc., Ph.D., Fellow of the Institute of Bankers". Bithell was a member of the Rationalist Press Association.[4]
Bithell has been cited as one of the early popularizers of agnosticism during the late 19th century.[3]