John Taylor Caldwell facts for kids
John Taylor Caldwell (born July 14, 1911 – died January 12, 2007) was a writer and political activist from Glasgow. He was known for being a close friend and biographer of Guy Aldred, another important figure in the anarchist movement. Caldwell wrote two books about his own life, sharing stories about growing up in Belfast, his time as a sailor, and how he became involved in politics. He was very active with Aldred and the United Socialist Movement.
Early Life and Political Work
John Caldwell joined Guy Aldred's United Socialist Movement (USM) soon after it started in 1934. He later became the group's secretary. The USM was a political group that believed in anarchism, which is a way of thinking about society where people live without a government.
Caldwell was very involved in the USM's work to support anarchism, especially during the time of the Spanish Civil War. In 1939, he became a full-time member of Aldred's publishing house, The Strickland Press, working alongside Jenny Patrick and Ethel MacDonald.
Like Guy Aldred, Caldwell was a conscientious objector. This means he refused to join the military during World War II because of his strong beliefs against fighting. For many years, he lived in Glasgow with Ethel MacDonald. He also helped Aldred in his political campaigns, acting as his election agent four times. An election agent helps a candidate organize their campaign when they are running for office.
Continuing the Legacy
After Guy Aldred passed away in 1963, John Caldwell continued the work of both the United Socialist Movement and the Strickland Press. He kept their radical bookshop open until May 1968.
As Aldred's literary executor, Caldwell was responsible for managing Aldred's writings after his death. He collected and organized many of Aldred's journals and pamphlets. He also worked on Aldred's unfinished autobiography, called No Traitor's Gait. Caldwell himself was writing a three-volume biography about Aldred, titled The Red Evangel. A shorter version of this book was later published as Come Dungeons Dark: The Life and Times of Guy Aldred, Glasgow Anarchist.
In 1966, to honor what would have been Aldred's 80th birthday, Caldwell put together a small book of Aldred's quotes. It was called In Memoriam: Quotations from the writings of Guy A. Aldred.
Media
- Part One of a discussion with J. T. Caldwell on the history of anarchism in Glasgow (Audio available)
- Part Two of a discussion with J. T. Caldwell on the history of anarchism in Glasgow (Audio available)
- Photograph (ref 560.77.305) from the Burrell Collection Photo Library shows members of the USM in 1938(?) with John Taylor Caldwell (far right) and Guy Aldred (6th from right).
