Dorothy Woodman

Dorothy Woodman (1902 – September 1970) was a British socialist activist, communist and journalist.

Biography Woodman was born in Swindon, into a family known for its nonconformist religious beliefs and liberal politics. She was interested in Asia from an early age, and learned Sanskrit from a local poet. She studied at University College, Exeter, where she became a socialist.

Woodman remained secretary of the Union of Democratic Control for many years, focusing on providing a voice to nationalist activists, particularly those from British colonies in Asia. In this role, she was closely watched by the Special Intelligence Service, who believed she might be a Soviet agent. She worked closely with Jomo Kenyatta when he was a student in London, and with Krishna Menon and his India League, and also organised the China Campaign Committee.