Saints & Sceptics
The great freethinkers who asked the questions that mattered.
Bertrand Russell
1872–1970
Philosopher, logician, Nobel laureate, and the reason we're all here. Proposed the orbiting teapot in 1952.
“The good life is one inspired by love and guided by knowledge.”
Almost certainly tea.
Carl Sagan
1934–1996
Astronomer, science communicator, and author of The Demon-Haunted World. Made the cosmos feel personal.
“Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.”
Probably coffee, but we forgive him.
Douglas Adams
1952–2001
Author of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Proved that the answer to life, the universe, and everything is 42.
“I love deadlines. I love the whooshing noise they make as they go by.”
Famously tea. Wrote extensively about it.
Hypatia of Alexandria
c. 360–415
Mathematician, astronomer, and philosopher. One of the first women known to have made significant contributions to mathematics.
“Reserve your right to think, for even to think wrongly is better than not to think at all.”
Pre-tea era (the dark ages indeed).
Richard Feynman
1918–1988
Physicist, Nobel laureate, bongo player, safe cracker. Made quantum mechanics almost understandable.
“I would rather have questions that can't be answered than answers that can't be questioned.”
Orange juice, apparently. Heretic.
Marie Curie
1867–1934
Physicist, chemist, two-time Nobel laureate. Discovered radium and polonium. Her notebooks are still radioactive.
“Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood.”
Polish tea traditions are strong.
David Hume
1711–1776
Scottish philosopher and historian. His empiricism influenced everything from science to economics to Russell himself.
“A wise man proportions his belief to the evidence.”
Scottish. Definitely tea.
Christopher Hitchens
1949–2011
Author, journalist, and formidable debater. Could argue anyone under the table, and frequently did.
“What can be asserted without evidence can also be dismissed without evidence.”
Scotch, mainly. Honorary tea status.
Tim Minchin
1975–
Musician, comedian, and composer of Matilda. Makes scepticism funny, musical, and occasionally profane.
“Science adjusts its views based on what's observed. Faith is the denial of observation so that belief can be preserved.”
Australian. Tea with Vegemite toast.