Comments on: Donald Rooum, Anarchist Cartoonist

By: Harry

Harry — Fri, 08 Feb 2019 15:25:39 +0000

I feel like I’ve been admiring his work for years. Nice to read about him.

By: Manx Gent

Manx Gent — Sat, 05 May 2018 18:39:10 +0000

What a coincidence! Seem to have been enjoying Donald’s cartoons since – oh, forever! -but as I prefer print to online mags I rarely see them any more. I was wondering recently if he was still going, so being alerted to this piece has made my day.
Fashions and movements in anarchism come and go, but Donald has been there and contributing through them all.
An inspiration!

By: Bill

Bill — Mon, 21 Aug 2017 10:33:34 +0000

What a great find! Used to use Freedom Bookshop a lot in the ‘old days’ especially when I was a student in the East End. Popped in one day and picked up a couple of Donald’s books and the chap who took my money asked if I wanted the author to sign them. I said yes please and it was Donald himself! I do miss having a bundle of Freedoms to take to events and sell though. Think the last time I did this was at the Burston Rally a few years ago and they all went. You cant lug a PC around quite the same, yes? Salud! @

By: DAVID ROOUM

DAVID ROOUM — Wed, 27 Aug 2014 19:41:09 +0000

Donald Rooum you have commented on here so if you see this pls personal message me on the facebook , my details are known for all to see or mail me on runnyowl@yahoo.co.uk. im th grandson of Frank and Joan the ones that wer bobbies in th forsest of dean th e is a bit sectchy,would be super to converse. There is brick dust in my pocket xx

By: Eddie Sharpe

Eddie Sharpe — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 14:48:49 +0000

As old as the age of 24 I thought I was an anarchist unti such statements as it meant being free to smoke joints and the constant swearing and their boring company put me off. After an incident I fell out with one of them, a hopeless character and I have no interest in it now, those people come and but Donald has endured. He by himself had changed the way millions felt about the law; just like John Wayne winning the war by himself; at least on film.

By: ThorstenV

ThorstenV — Sun, 13 Jan 2013 13:44:52 +0000

Eighty? Four? But … but … that can’t be … can it? Judging from the energy of the cartoons, I would have … well maybe fifty. Max. Someone should go advertise anarchism as the fountain of youth. All the best and keep on pushing.

By: Phil Gray

Phil Gray — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 12:00:22 +0000

Hello Donald

I was just reshelving books after decorating and came across my little cache of Wildcats, so thought of you, then Google found you in a matter of seconds. Lovely to see you being lauded on the internet. We decamped to Norwich in 2003, and it looks like we are staying put. If you want to get in touch, I am sure Spitalfields Life will pass on my email to you. Love from me and Willi x

By: Marty

Marty — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 10:45:53 +0000

Donald Rooum won't remember this, but he had some influence on my when I was at school in the 1960s. I had got interested in anarchism and somehow found my way to his flat in Hampstead for an anarchist meeting. There was something brewing called "The General Strike for Peace", which, at 16, I thought would be a good idea. Donald advised that we had to be realistic, and that it was unlikely that anything would happen about it. Later I wrote to him, with all sorts of philosophical questions about freedom. Donald wrote back at length, in a beautiful italic hand. I lost his letter years ago but I can still remember what he said: freedom is just freedom from something; if a fireman gets you out of the fire, you are free of danger; if you wash regularly, you will be free of fleas; anarchism just wants to get you as free as you can be; an anarchist society is one in which all relationships are voluntary. I thought that was a good definition. Thanks, Donald.

By: Emma

Emma — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 17:33:52 +0000

It is a privilege to know the fine gentleman so well…….”The Honourable granddaughter…..”

By: Trevor Blake

Trevor Blake — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 04:15:33 +0000

When I met him on a trip to London to meet the friends and family of the late George Walford, Donald could not have been more kind and friendly to me. It has been many years but that meeting is one of many clear and good memories of that time. Donald even indulged me in a drawing of Wildcat, which I still proudly own. Here's to your next 84 years, Donald!