Heathcote Williams

Biography

Heathcote Williams was born into a legal family; his father was a barrister. Educated at Eton College, Williams briefly attended Christ Church, Oxford, to study law but left without completing his degree. He later adopted the name "Heathcote" in honor of his father. 

Literary Career

Williams emerged as a prominent literary figure in the 1960s with his debut book, The Speakers (1964), an exploration of London's Hyde Park Speakers' Corner. His first full-length play, AC/DC (1970), critiqued the mental health industry and won both the Evening Standard's Most Promising Playwright Award and the John Whiting Award.

He pioneered a unique style of "documentary/investigative poetry," producing book-length polemical poems that addressed environmental and political issues. Notable works include:

Whale Nation (1988): A passionate plea for the protection of whales, credited with influencing the global anti-whaling movement.

Autogeddon (1992): A critique of car culture and its environmental impact.

Falling for a Dolphin (1991): A poetic exploration of human-animal relationships.

Sacred Elephant (1989): Highlighting the plight of elephants in captivity.

His final published work, American Porn (2017), was a scathing critique of the U.S. political establishment, released on the day of President Donald Trump's inauguration.

Activism and Political Engagement

A fervent political activist, Williams was deeply involved in the London squatting movement during the 1970s. He co-founded the "Ruff Tuff Cream Puff" estate agency, which helped squatters find housing. In 1977, he played a pivotal role in establishing the "Free and Independent Republic of Frestonia," a community of squatters in Notting Hill that declared independence from the UK.

Williams was also known for his provocative street art and graffiti, using them as tools for political commentary. His activism extended to environmental causes, animal rights, and anti-establishment movements.

Acting and Film Work

In addition to his literary and activist endeavors, Williams had a notable acting career. He appeared in various films, including:

The Tempest (1979): Portraying Prospero in Derek Jarman's adaptation.

Orlando (1992): Playing the character Nick Greene.

Basic Instinct 2 (2006): In a supporting role.

He also made a cameo in the popular TV series Friends during the episode "The One with Ross's Wedding."

Personal Life

Williams had a complex personal life. He had two daughters with his long-term partner, historian Diana Senior, and a son, Charlie Gilmour, with novelist and journalist Polly Samson. Gilmour later wrote about his relationship with his father in the memoir Featherhood.