John Rety

John Rety (born Janos Réty; 8 December 1930 – 3 February 2010) was a Hungarian-British anarchist, poet, publisher and chessplayer.

Life

Born in Budapest, Hungary, Rety attended an English nursery school in Budapest. A child when World War II broke out, he was separated from his Jewish parents in 1944, and carried messages for the Resistance. His grandmother was shot on the last day of the war. In 1947, after performing an anti-war play on the steps of the Budapest parliament, he left for a holiday with his aunt in Britain, and was forced to stay after the aunt burnt his passport.

After a job translating for a Czech publisher who spoke no English, ) He was active against the Vietnam War, participating in the Grosvenor Square demonstration as well as a 13-day fast at Speaker's Corner. Initially convinced of the innocence of Stuart Christie, accused of carrying explosives to assassinate Francisco Franco, Rety helped coordinate an international solidarity campaign, despite a personal feeling of betrayal on learning the truth. he played for Middlesex and London University as well as represented England in the European Senior Chess Championship.

Rety died in London, survived by his partner and two children: his daughter Emily Johns is editor of Peace News.