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Voltairine de Cleyre: A Radical Life and Legacy

Brady Mitchell

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Published in An American Anarchist: The Life Of Voltairine De Cleyre

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An American Anarchist: The Life of Voltairine de Cleyre

by Paul Avrich

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	13608 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
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Print length	:	310 pages

Voltairine de Cleyre (1866-1912) was an American anarchist, feminist, and writer. She is best known for her advocacy of individual liberty, free love, and the abolition of the state.

De Cleyre was born in St. Johns, Michigan, to a Catholic family. Her father was a doctor and her mother was a teacher. De Cleyre was a bright and curious child, and she quickly developed a passion for learning. She attended the University of Michigan for a year, but she dropped out after becoming disillusioned with the university's emphasis on rote learning.

In 1889, De Cleyre moved to Chicago, where she became involved in the anarchist movement. She quickly became one of the movement's most prominent voices, and she wrote numerous articles and pamphlets on anarchism and feminism. De Cleyre was also a gifted orator, and she gave speeches at anarchist rallies and events across the country.

De Cleyre's anarchism was based on her belief in the inherent goodness of human nature. She believed that people were naturally cooperative and compassionate, and that they would be able to live in peace and harmony without the need for government or other forms of authority.

De Cleyre was also a strong advocate for free love. She believed that people should be free to choose their own partners, and that the state should not have the right to regulate sexual relationships. De Cleyre was open about her own bisexuality, and she wrote and spoke about the importance of sexual freedom.

De Cleyre's political views were controversial, and she was often attacked by the authorities. In 1890, she was arrested for giving a speech at a May Day rally in Chicago. She was convicted of inciting to riot, and she served a two-year sentence in prison.

After her release from prison, De Cleyre continued to write and speak about anarchism and feminism. She also became involved in the birth control movement, and she wrote and spoke about the importance of women's reproductive rights.

De Cleyre died in Chicago in 1912, at the age of 46. She was a brilliant anarchist and feminist, and her work continues to inspire activists today.

Legacy

Voltairine de Cleyre was a pioneering anarchist and feminist, and her work has had a lasting impact on both movements. She was one of the first people to argue for the abolition of the state, and she was a strong advocate for individual liberty and free love.

De Cleyre's work has inspired generations of activists, and she is still considered one of the most important figures in anarchist and feminist thought. Her writings are still widely read today, and she continues to be a source of inspiration for people who are fighting for a more just and equitable world.