In Remembrance of Jim Zwick: Scholar,
Activist, Writer, Educator, and true friend of the Filipino People.
Jim Zwick, 51, an American Studies scholar whose
specialties included Mark Twain, political history, and the educational
usages of the internet died Thursday (January 24, 2008) at his home outside
of Syracuse, New York.
Zwick was the author of numerous noted books and articles on Twain,
anti-imperialism and other topics. Major publications included the books
Mark Twain's Weapons of Satire, Inuit Entertainers in the United States, and
Confronting Imperialism: Essays on Mark Twain and the Anti-Imperialist
League. He was a frequent contributor to a wide range of journals and
anthologies.
Zwick began creating websites in 1994. He created and ran the Mark Twain
site at
About.com, later consolidating his many writings into the widely cited
Boondocksnet.com, which was included in the reading list of Mark Twain
courses at universities worldwide.In 2000, he ran the author's posthumous
online campaign for the Presidency, MSNB's top-ranked campaign website. With
his unique perspective, he provided consultation and commentary for
documentary films including Ken Burns' Mark Twain.
Living in Hong Kong during the 1970's, his language skills allowed him to
travel extensively in the Peoples' Republic of China in 1979, long before
the current openness. He later traveled in the Philippines, and was long
active with the Friends of the Filipino People. Zwick also served on the
Executive Committee of the Mark Twain Circle. Zwick received his BA at
Earlham College in 1981 and his MA in Comparative Politics and World History
at Syracuse University where he continued to do post-graduate work and teach
for some time. He attended Wethersfield High School and the Shanti School in
Hartford.
Zwick is survived by his father and step-mother Frank and Lynn Zwick of
Myrtle Beach, SC, his sister Joan Zwick of Tolland, brothers David of Old
Saybrook, Douglas of Los Angeles, and their families. He is predeceased by
his mother Joan Jenkins Zwick, and sister, Susan Laurie Zwick. Memorial
contributions may be made to Human Rights Watch, 350 5th Avenue, 34th Floor,
New York, NY 10118 (www.hrw.org/donations).
