David Widgery
Encyclopedia
David Widgery was a British
Trotskyist
writer, journalist, polemicist, physician, and activist.
Widgery was born in Barnet
and grew up in Maidenhead
, Berkshire
. He contracted polio as a child and was expelled from sixth form for publishing a magazine.
In 1965, Widgery met Allen Ginsberg
, then visited Watts
, where he encountered the civil rights movement
, followed by Cuba
. On return to Britain
, he studied medicine at the Royal Free Hospital
Medical School before writing for the New Statesman
and Oz
magazines, becoming co-editor of Oz during 1971.
Widgery joined the International Socialists in 1967, remaining in the group as it became the Socialist Workers Party
. In 1972 he began working at Bethnal Green Hospital, and later in the decade he published his first book, The Left in Britain, 1956–68.
Widgery contributed to Ink, Time Out and City Limits, also writing for New Statesman, Socialist Review, International Socialism and New Society.
He also presented a paper at Ninth symposium of the National Deviancy Conference in Sheffield
(7-8 January 1972) on "The Politics of the Underground".
His books include The Chatto Book of Dissent (1991), an anthology of dissident writings co-edited with Michael Rosen
, Some Lives!: A GP's East End (1991), the story of his experience as a doctor in London
's East End
, The National Health: A Radical Perspective, and Beating Time (1986), an account of the Rock Against Racism
movement of the late 1970s.
When Widgery died, aged 45, excess alcohol, barbiturates and pethidine were found in his bloodstream, but it is not known whether this was an accidental or intentional overdose. One obituary described Widgery as "a radical humanist
intellectual on permanent loan to revolutionary socialism
."
British people
The British are citizens of the United Kingdom, of the Isle of Man, any of the Channel Islands, or of any of the British overseas territories, and their descendants...
Trotskyist
Trotskyism
Trotskyism is the theory of Marxism as advocated by Leon Trotsky. Trotsky considered himself an orthodox Marxist and Bolshevik-Leninist, arguing for the establishment of a vanguard party of the working-class...
writer, journalist, polemicist, physician, and activist.
Widgery was born in Barnet
Barnet
High Barnet or Chipping Barnet is a place in the London Borough of Barnet, North London, England. It is a suburban development built around a twelfth-century settlement and is located north north-west of Charing Cross. Its name is often abbreviated to Barnet, which is also the name of the London...
and grew up in Maidenhead
Maidenhead
Maidenhead is a town and unparished area within the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, in Berkshire, England. It lies on the River Thames and is situated west of Charing Cross in London.-History:...
, Berkshire
Berkshire
Berkshire is a historic county in the South of England. It is also often referred to as the Royal County of Berkshire because of the presence of the royal residence of Windsor Castle in the county; this usage, which dates to the 19th century at least, was recognised by the Queen in 1957, and...
. He contracted polio as a child and was expelled from sixth form for publishing a magazine.
In 1965, Widgery met Allen Ginsberg
Allen Ginsberg
Irwin Allen Ginsberg was an American poet and one of the leading figures of the Beat Generation in the 1950s. He vigorously opposed militarism, materialism and sexual repression...
, then visited Watts
Watts, Los Angeles, California
Watts is a mostly residential neighborhood in South Los Angeles, California.-History:The area now known as Watts is located on the Rancho La Tajauta Mexican land grant...
, where he encountered the civil rights movement
Civil rights movement
The civil rights movement was a worldwide political movement for equality before the law occurring between approximately 1950 and 1980. In many situations it took the form of campaigns of civil resistance aimed at achieving change by nonviolent forms of resistance. In some situations it was...
, followed by Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
. On return to Britain
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, he studied medicine at the Royal Free Hospital
Royal Free Hospital
The Royal Free Hospital is a major teaching hospital in Hampstead, London, England and part of the Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust....
Medical School before writing for the New Statesman
New Statesman
New Statesman is a British centre-left political and cultural magazine published weekly in London. Founded in 1913, and connected with leading members of the Fabian Society, the magazine reached a circulation peak in the late 1960s....
and Oz
Oz (magazine)
Oz was first published as a satirical humour magazine between 1963 and 1969 in Sydney, Australia and, in its second and better known incarnation, became a "psychedelic hippy" magazine from 1967 to 1973 in London...
magazines, becoming co-editor of Oz during 1971.
Widgery joined the International Socialists in 1967, remaining in the group as it became the Socialist Workers Party
Socialist Workers Party (Britain)
The Socialist Workers Party is a far left party in Britain founded by Tony Cliff. The SWP's student section has groups at a number of universities...
. In 1972 he began working at Bethnal Green Hospital, and later in the decade he published his first book, The Left in Britain, 1956–68.
Widgery contributed to Ink, Time Out and City Limits, also writing for New Statesman, Socialist Review, International Socialism and New Society.
He also presented a paper at Ninth symposium of the National Deviancy Conference in Sheffield
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
(7-8 January 1972) on "The Politics of the Underground".
His books include The Chatto Book of Dissent (1991), an anthology of dissident writings co-edited with Michael Rosen
Michael Rosen
Michael Wayne Rosen is a broadcaster, children's novelist and poet and the author of 140 books. He was appointed as the fifth Children's Laureate in June 2007, succeeding Jacqueline Wilson, and held this honour until 2009....
, Some Lives!: A GP's East End (1991), the story of his experience as a doctor in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
's East End
East End of London
The East End of London, also known simply as the East End, is the area of London, England, United Kingdom, east of the medieval walled City of London and north of the River Thames. Although not defined by universally accepted formal boundaries, the River Lea can be considered another boundary...
, The National Health: A Radical Perspective, and Beating Time (1986), an account of the Rock Against Racism
Rock Against Racism
Rock Against Racism was a campaign set up in the United Kingdom in 1976 as a response to an increase in racial conflict and the growth of white nationalist groups such as the National Front. The campaign involved pop, rock and reggae musicians staging concerts with an anti-racist theme, in order...
movement of the late 1970s.
When Widgery died, aged 45, excess alcohol, barbiturates and pethidine were found in his bloodstream, but it is not known whether this was an accidental or intentional overdose. One obituary described Widgery as "a radical humanist
Humanism
Humanism is an approach in study, philosophy, world view or practice that focuses on human values and concerns. In philosophy and social science, humanism is a perspective which affirms some notion of human nature, and is contrasted with anti-humanism....
intellectual on permanent loan to revolutionary socialism
Socialism
Socialism is an economic system characterized by social ownership of the means of production and cooperative management of the economy; or a political philosophy advocating such a system. "Social ownership" may refer to any one of, or a combination of, the following: cooperative enterprises,...
."
External links
- David Widgery Internet Archive
- 'The Poetics of Propaganda' by Dave RentonDave RentonDave Renton is a left-wing writer and historian.Renton is a great-nephew of the Communist historian Dona Torr and the explorer Rosita Forbes...
- http://www.gillatt.org/widgery/index.htm obituary by Michael RosenMichael RosenMichael Wayne Rosen is a broadcaster, children's novelist and poet and the author of 140 books. He was appointed as the fifth Children's Laureate in June 2007, succeeding Jacqueline Wilson, and held this honour until 2009....