ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses deeper into the analysis of correspondences and other primary sources to investigate Elisee Reclus's and Peter Kropotkin's relations with these British figures of scholars defining themselves as 'humanists' or 'humanitarians'. It includes the unorthodox activists and scholars such as William Morris and Patrick Geddes, for their common concern with popular education and humanitarian endeavours. Heath's philosophical ideas, inspired by a strong belief in the Christian religion, were a far cry from Reclus's and Kropotkin's anarchism and atheism. Louise Dumesnil explained the reasons for the life-long friendship between her brother Elisee Reclus and Heath, arguing that the English historian was not only 'one of the best of Elisee’s friends in England, but also a raffinate scholar of Edgar Quinet and a humanitarian socialist'. Kropotkin's relations with Heath started in January 1886, on Kropotkin's return to London, when the Russian Prince appointed the British writer to copyedit his works, under Reclus's recommendation.
