Remembering renowned anti-fascist campaigner and Honorary Doctor Gerry Gable (1937-2026)

The University of Northampton pays tribute to renowned anti-fascist campaigner and Honorary Doctor, Gerry Gable, who sadly passed away on 3 January 2026.

Gable was instrumental in shaping Britain’s anti-fascist landscape, notably relaunching Searchlight magazine in 1975 which became a leading voice in exposing and documenting the activities of far-right groups and individuals.

In recognition of his lifetime’s work defending liberal democracy and combating racism and fascism, Gable was proudly awarded an honorary doctorate by University of Northampton in 2011.

As a continuing legacy, the University houses Searchlight’s extensive archive as a research resource.

The Searchlight Archive is a major collection of material documenting the activities of British and international fascist and racist organisations, and remains one of the most extensive and significant resources of its type in Europe.

By opening the extensive archive to researchers, students and members of the public, the ambition is to lead and transform information management, guarantee the survival of today’s information for tomorrow and bring history to life for critical understanding.

The University of Northampton’s Vice-Chancellor, Anne-Marie Kilday adds: “We’re incredibly saddened to hear of the passing of Gerry Gable, who we proudly recognised as one of our esteemed Honorary Doctors in 2011.

“We are passionate about continuing to uphold his legacy through the Searchlight Archive, facilitating the advancement of critical research into the far right and fascism, and using his life’s work and collection as a springboard to share knowledge, build awareness, and strive towards a future free from fascism.”

Since its formal opening in September 2013, the Searchlight Archive has attracted close to 1,000 visitors from across the world and, as a result, has triggered countless leading research and book publications, television and radio programmes, and remains a key resource for critical analysis and evaluation of the far right.

A number of significant discoveries have been made within the archive, including most recently a letter from Otto Frank to the British press, which illustrates his continuing his work to prove the Holocaust took place and took the life of his daughter, ultimately challenging the words of Holocaust deniers.

Photo credit: www.hoffmanphotos.com

Associate Lecturer in History, Dr Daniel Jones has been the University’s Searchlight Archivist since the first boxes were received, and worked closely with Gable – alongside Professor in the History of Radicalism and Extremism, Paul Jackson, and the University’s former Vice-Chancellor, Nick Petford – to secure Searchlight Archive’s future as an accessible learning and teaching resource.

“Gerry’s legacy stretches far beyond his acts of activism and politicised writings,” explains Dr Jones. “He was a believer in making sure people didn’t forget the origins of fascism and the far-right. To reiterate its history is deep-rooted, and hasn’t just appeared from nothing. Fascism and the far-right will always try to put on new masks, but Gerry was instrumental in removing these masks.

“Here at the University, we’ve worked closely with Gerry since the early days of 2009, where he was keenly involved with our History research groups, as well as co-authoring research and publications across the field of fascism and the far-right.

“Gerry was a man of many stories, and was a dear friend to us. He was fiercely passionate about supporting the advancement of research knowledge through his work with Searchlight, the 62 group, and his political activism. His work – and friendship – will not be forgotten.”

Professor Jackson adds: “Gerry Gable was generous and deeply knowledgeable, and a powerful advocate for challenging racism and hatred. I found him personally inspiring, and it was a real privilege to have had the opportunity to discuss with him often and at great length the history of fascism.

“By bringing the Searchlight Archive to the University at the start of my career, we were able to provide many researchers with the tools to understand and tackle prejudice. We will miss him greatly.”

Find out more about the Searchlight Archive via the University of Northampton website.