George Woodcock

Date of Birth: May 8, 1912

Zodiac Sign: Taurus

Date of Death: January 28, 1995

Biography

George Woodcock (May 8, 1912 – January 28, 1995) was a prolific Canadian writer, historian, literary critic, poet, and anarchist thinker. Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Woodcock moved to England with his family shortly after his birth. He was educated at Sir Walter St John’s School in London and later worked for the Great Western Railway. Woodcock was a conscientious objector during World War II, which led him to farm work and writing. In the post-war years, Woodcock returned to Canada, settling in British Columbia. He became a prominent figure in Canadian literature, founding and editing the influential journal “Canadian Literature” in 1959. Woodcock authored more than 40 books on a variety of subjects, including biographies, travel writing, and political theory, with a significant focus on anarchism. His works have been translated into several languages, earning him international acclaim.

5 Interesting Facts about George Woodcock

1. George Woodcock was a conscientious objector during World War II, which significantly influenced his later writings on pacifism and anarchism.

2. In 1959, he founded “Canadian Literature,” the first academic journal exclusively dedicated to Canadian writing.

3. Woodcock wrote the first comprehensive biography of George Orwell in 1966, which remains a key resource for scholars.

4. He was a close friend of the poet Herbert Read and was deeply influenced by Read’s anarchist philosophy.

5. Despite his extensive literary contributions, Woodcock never held a permanent academic position, preferring the independence of freelance writing.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from George Woodcock

1. “The trouble with the Labour Party is that it is neither labour nor party.”

2. “Anarchism is not a romantic fable but the hard-headed realization, based on five thousand years of experience, that we cannot entrust the management of our lives to kings, priests, politicians, generals, and county commissioners.”

3. “In a society that has abolished all adventures, the only adventure left is to abolish that society.”

4. “To be an anarchist only means that you believe that aggression is not justified, and that the state is organized aggression.”

5. “The freedom of the individual is not a concession by society but a challenge to it.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

George Woodcock’s net worth was never publicly disclosed, and given his era and professional focus, it is likely that he did not amass significant wealth. His primary achievements were literary and intellectual rather than financial.