The conservative philosopher and writer Sir Roger Scruton has died at the age of 75 following a six-month battle with cancer-
Sir Roger was known for his activism in Communist-controlled eastern Europe during the Cold War, and supported underground education networks. For his work in supporting dissidents in Czechoslovakia, he was awarded the Medal of Merit by the Czech government in 1998.
In June 2019, Polish president Andrej Duda awarded Scruton the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland for his support of the anti-Communist struggle.
His most recent honour was given by the Hungarian government last month, when Prime Minister Viktor Orban awarded him the Commander’s Cross with Star of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary for the writer’s dedication to freedom in Europe.
Presented from the Hungarian embassy in London, Prime Minister Orban said: “Our dear professor taught us that conservatism is not an ideology but rather the polar opposite of one.”
This is why he was important.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHw4MMEnmpc
Oh yes!
Perhaps he can become even more powerful in death.
The Spectator’s slanderous attack job on him, hit him hard and perhaps led to his death. As a leading lonely figure for the conservative movement, it must have been a shock to have been abandoned by May’s “conservative” party and fed to the demons.
His full frontal attack on the nonsense of the newleft in “Fools, Frauds and Firebrands” was inspirational. His defense of family, beauty, aesthetics were the foundation stones of his legacy though: “The Ring of Truth”, “I Drink therefore I am”, “How to be a Conservative”, “The Green Philosophy”. I often refer back to his work, which is said to be a measure of whether a writer will last the ravages of time.
On death, and eternal life:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57RrQgURHJk
“How To Be A Conservative” is a very impressive book. Roger Scruton was a very impressive thinker.