I just read on Antiwar.com that Vincent H. Miller, who founded the International Society for Individual Liberty and ran it for the past 20 years, passed away yesterday. When he lived in Toronto in the 1970's, Vince Miller was a friend of mine, who gave me my start in writing for some of the publications he edited back then: Principle (the Libertarian Party of Canada newsletter), Libertarian Bulletin (Ontario Libertarian Party), Speak Up! (a conservative/libertarian newspaper), and the Mercury International Digest (Roger Lea Mac Bride's short-lived publication). More importantly, he was, and remained until his death, a dear friend of liberty.
The Antiwar.com notice follows:
Vince Miller RIP
An old and dear friend of Antiwar.com, Vince Miller, has died.
Vince had been a libertarian activist for over 37 years. He was one of the founders of the Libertarian Party of Canada and was an editor of the early magazine Libertarian Option. In 1980, Vince founded the Libertarian International, to join libertarian organizations from around the world. In 1989, Libertarian International expanded by merging with the Society for Individual Liberty to create the International Society for Individual Liberty (ISIL).
Also in 1989, Vince and ISIL took over the libertarian bookstore in San Francisco which I had opened in 1980. They kept the bookstore open until the property was stolen by the city of San Francisco in 1997. ISIL recently rescued Laissez Faire Books from going under, and has been in the process of revitalizing the book service.
Vince wrote this article on the 25th anniversary of the founding of Libertarian International.
Vince attended the Libertarian Party national convention last month in Denver, and was in fine health. Shortly after the convention he was diagnosed with Valley Fever. The infection moved into his internal organs and he fell into a coma. He died this morning at the age of 70.
Vince was a tireless and under-appreciated activist in the service of peace and liberty. Per his instructions he will be cremated. Vince asked that no formal funeral be held. A celebration of his life will be held at a future date. In lieu of cards or flowers those wishing to honor him are asked to contribute to Vince's life cause, the International Society for Individual Liberty. The most appropriate way to show appreciation for Vince is to do something for liberty. It was his passion and his great love.
We will miss him.
- Eric Garris, Antiwar.com Blog, June 28, 2008. http://www.antiwar.com/blog/2008/06/28/vince-miller-rip/#comment-155813
[reprinted with permission]