Laird Wilcox

Laird Maurice Wilcox III (November 28, 1942 – November 4, 2023) was an American researcher of political fringe movements. He was the founder of the Wilcox Collection of Contemporary Political Movements, housed in the Kenneth Spencer Research Library at the University of Kansas.

Early life Laird Maurice Wilcox III was born November 28, 1942, in San Francisco, California. His parents were Laird Wilcox Jr. and AuDeene Stromer Wilcox. His relatives' politics ranged from socialist to membership in the far-right John Birch Society.

Wilcox attended the University of Kansas. He joined the Students for a Democratic Society and later dropped out of college. In addition, he was a Special Deputy Sheriff in Shawnee and Wyandotte County.

It includes literature relating to, according to the university, "more than 10,000 individuals and organizations. The bulk of the collection covers 1960 to the present and comprises nearly 10,000 books, pamphlets and periodicals, 800 audio tapes, of manuscript materials and more than 100,000 pieces of ephemera including flyers, brochures, mailings, clippings and bumper stickers."

Views In 1968, Wilcox signed the "Writers and Editors War Tax Protest" pledge, vowing to refuse tax payments in protest against the Vietnam War. He was a member of the American Civil Liberties Union starting in 1961 and a member of Amnesty International since 1970. Historian George Michael described Wilcox in 2003 as a left-wing libertarian. Wilcox accused groups including the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), and Political Research Associates of a "massive extortion racket" to exaggerate threats from right-wing extremists, whom he estimated at 10,000 in a total US population of 270 million. In response, Mark Potok of the SPLC said that Wilcox "had an ax to grind for a great many years", and Chip Berlet of Political Research Associates said that Wilcox "is not an accurate or ethical reporter". Historian George Michael noted that Wilcox's examination of memoranda indicated a close working relationship between the ADL and the FBI.

Awards In 1989, Wilcox received the Kansas City Area Archivists Award of Excellence for founding and maintaining the Wilcox Collection. He was awarded the Myers Center Award in 1993 for the Study of Human Rights in the United States, and in 1994 he was awarded the Freedom of Information Award of the Kansas Library Association/SIRS "for outstanding commitment to intellectual freedom".

Publications Periodicals Guide to the American Left, annual. Kansas City, Mo.: Editorial Research Service (1984–). . Guide to the American Right, annual. Kansas City, Mo.: Editorial Research Service (1984–). . .

Books Master Bibliography: Political Psychology and Propaganda, Espionage and Intelligence Operations, Terrorism and Assassination. Olathe, Kan.: Editorial Research Service (1980).

Crying Wolf: Hate Crime Hoaxes in America. Olathe, Kan.: Editorial Research Service (1994). . 25th Anniversary Edition, 1994–2019. Olathe, Kan.: Editorial Research Service (2019). The Watchdogs: A Close Look at Anti-Racist "Watchdog" Groups. Olathe, Kan.: Editorial Research Service (1997). .