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Josiah Clement Wedgwood (Lord Wedgwood of Barlaston) was known personally to comparatively few in this country. But those who heard him speak at the Henry George School of Social Science in the summer of 1941 will not forget him.

Born into the family of world-famous potters, he dedicated himself to the defense of good causes. A man of wide culture - few Americans know American history or the works of American writers, as he did - he was respected and admired in quarters where his democratic doctrines were not tolerated. Friends and political foes alike, were impressed by this man's goodness and loving kindness. His tact and sincerity acted as an open season at what might have .been closed doors, and his ever-present sense of humor was as a shield that saved him from heart breaks in his life-long battle against the forces of privilege and in defense of freedom-seeking minorities.

In a letter received today from a Member of Parliament, F. C. R. Douglas (co-editor of Land and Liberty) he writes me of Wedgwood: "It is a sad loss. His removal from the House of Commons to the House of Lords was in itself a blow."

After having served some thirty-six years as M. P., Col. Wedgwood was accorded high recognition for services to his country and, through the offices of Winston Churchill, was appointed Peer of the Realm. This meant a personal financial loss to Wedgwood since it entailed no salary, but he accepted the honor because he hoped his presence in the House of Lords might act as a liberal lever in that conservative body.

He wrote books on the history of Wedgwood potteries and on his own experiences in the House of Commons, but of most importance to us worshippers of Liberty, is his admirable anthology "Forever Freedom" co-edited with Allan Nevins and published by the Penguin Press. This collection of prose and verse, from England and America, extolling freedom, ranges from Magna Carta to Roosevelt and Churchill and includes five pages of Henry George.

"Freedom is not merely itself the goal at which we aim, but the only atmosphere in which we can advance" says Wedgwood in his introduction.

In the book a sketch is given of this man who served his fellows in South Africa, India, Palestine and Syria, as well as at home. After listing his credentials: Commander in the Navy, Colonel in the Army and recipient of the D. S. O., the statement ends with: "But in the main desire of his life, to get England to adopt the philosophy and taxation of Henry George, he has failed."

Has he? Time alone will tell.