Inspiring People

Bruce Kent

Some of the qualities of Bruce Kent are enthusiasm, honesty and tolerance.

Bruce Kent (born 22 June 1929) is a British political activist. He was for many years probably Britain's best-known peace campaigner and member of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND). He served as General Secretary from 1980 to 1985, and as Chair from 1987 to 1990.

Kent was born in London in 1929, went to Stonyhurst College, was at school in Canada from 1940 to 1943, served as an officer in the Royal Tank Regiment from 1947 to 1949, studied Law at Brasenose College, Oxford 1949-52, was ordained a Catholic priest in 1958, and was Catholic chaplain to the University of London from 1966 to 1974. He was Chair of the charity War on Want from 1974 to 1976.

In 1987, Kent resigned from the priesthood.

He campaigns for peace, runs a war-zone refugee hospital, campaigned on child soldiers, and worked for the freedom of hostages Mordecai Vanunu and Norman Kember. His latest campaign is against the updating of Britain's Trident nuclear missile system. Kent now lives in Harringay, North London.