On the day that would have been his 91st birthday, a member of the ACG remembers John Couzin
John Couzin, Anarchist activist, poet and archivist has died, just short of the age of 91.
John was probably best known as the initiator of the Glasgow Radical History project and co-founder of the highly respected Spirit of Revolt: Archives of Dissent. Though not a ‘professional’ historian, he was committed to preserving the memory of the anarchist and libertarian socialist movement in Glasgow, Scotland and beyond. An organic intellectual, his commitment to anarchist politics was born of his life experience as a worker initially as a shipbuilding engineer in Govan and later as a door to door salesman around the poorest areas of Glasgow.
In later life, John started publishing a newssheet, the Anarchist Critic. He could be found distributing it at demonstrations and marches between 2002 and 2022, never wanting to miss an opportunity to get the anarchist message out to those who might be receptive. He was of the opinion that anarchists had to be visible and present, particularly in the streets. In recent years he was a strong advocate of an anarchist May Day celebration, particularly the picnics on Glasgow Green.
John was the author of Radical Glasgow: A Skeletal Sketch of Glasgow’s Radical Tradition, first published in 2006 and now in its 4th Edition. The book covers the period from the 18th Century until the 2010s and is reflective of his non-sectarian politics, whilst adhering to his consistent class struggle perspective and serving as an accessible introduction to many struggles and individuals who have been excluded from mainstream histories.
He was also known for his poetry. Indeed, when I was first introduced to him, twenty four years ago on an anti-war demonstration in Glasgow, I asked him if he was John Couzin the poet? Wanting to be known as a comrade amongst comrades, he was extremely modest about it, as was his nature.
Comrade Couzin was an open and generous person, with what seemed like endless energetic commitment, despite serious health problems. He had a tendency to bounce back after illness, ready to carry on the struggle and was, in this, an inspiration to younger and not-so-younger comrades. He will be sorely missed by his partner and comrade Stacia and by all who knew and worked with him for the realisation of the anarchist vision.
John Couzin (1934-2025) will continue to inspire us.