ELLIS HILLMAN, who has recently died, was both a serious political activist and a unashamed eccentric.
A committed Trotskyist Ellis was a supporter of the Fourth International and a sympathiser of Socialist Outlook.
He was a regular visitor to our offices, making suggestions and comments or criticisms, or to request information. He was particularly interested in the work of Trotskyist groups in other parts of the world.
As Mayor of Barnet, Ellis was proud to be known as London's only Trotskyist mayor.
An expert on Lewis Carroll, he persuaded the borough to mount a major exhibition on Carroll's work, with the indisputable argument that, as far as he knew, Carroll had never had any connection with Hendon!
Ellis was also an expert on subterranean archaeology (an interest that could partly have explained his membership of the Flat Earth Society). His book London Under London is the best history of London's underground rivers, sewers, tunnels and services.
Ellis Hillman was due to speak at Socialist Outlook's Ernest Mandel Memorial Rally last October, but had to cancel after suffering the first of the heart attacks that eventually claimed his life. With his death, we have lost one of the most colourful and original talents of the Trotskyist movement.