The many lives of writer Jef Last (1898-1972): Anti-fascist, socialist, humanist and gay rights activist
Twentieth Century Communism - ISSN 1758-6437
Volume 2023 Number 25
The many lives of writer Jef Last (1898-1972): Anti-fascist, socialist, humanist and gay rights activist
RUDI WESTER, ELKE WEESJES pages 126-156
Abstract
Writer, poet, painter, journalist, translator and compelling speaker: Jef Last roamed the globe, fought in the Spanish Civil War, joined the Dutch resistance during the Nazi occupation, and became an outspoken gay rights activist during and after World War II. His political journey started in 1917 when he joined the Social Democratic Workers Party. From there he had brief yet tumultuous stints in the Revolutionary Socialist Party of Henk Sneevliet and the Dutch Communist Party. Disappointed with socialism and the Soviet Union, he identified as a humanist in later life. Last was controversial yet appealing, and both selfish and selfless. Difficult to categorise, Last insisted on the indivisibility of his identity and experiences as an antifascist fighter and a gay man. This biographical article explores the many social identities of Jef Last.
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To cite this article
RUDI WESTER, ELKE WEESJES (2023) The many lives of writer Jef Last (1898-1972): Anti-fascist, socialist, humanist and gay rights activist, Twentieth Century Communism, 2023(25), 126-156