Remembering Sean Garrett and His Contribution to the George Garrett Archive
Sean Garrett 1958 – 2026
At the launch of The Wigan Pier Project in 2018, which features a video of Sean discussing his grandfather George’s meeting with George Orwell in 1936.
It is with great sadness that we remember Sean Garrett, who passed away on Sunday 2nd August. Sean’s connection to his grandfather, George Garrett, brought a deeply personal and invaluable dimension to the George Garrett Archive Project, and he was a great friend and supporter of Writing on the Wall.
George Garrett (1896–1966) was a merchant seaman, writer, playwright and founder member of Liverpool’s Unity Theatre; a radical activist and a ‘militant advocate of tolerance’ who travelled the world and wrote a series of short stories and plays. His work brought him to the attention of George Orwell, who met him in 1936 and mentions him in his diaries.
The George Garrett Archive Project was established in 2012, after members of Garrett’s family shared with Writing on the Wall an extraordinary collection of material relating to George’s life and work, including original drafts of short stories, poetry, plays and correspondence with theatres, publishers and literary magazines. Sean, like other members of the family, recognised the significance of this material and trusted Writing on the Wall to preserve it and bring George’s work to new audiences.
In addition to providing this vital family connection, Sean threw himself into the project, becoming an active and leading member of ‘The Garretteers’ and contributing to almost every aspect of its development.
Sean speaking at the launch of the Garrett Archive Exhibition in 2013
Sean shared personal memories and stories that helped researchers and audiences understand not only George’s writing, but the man behind it. He contributed to research into George’s life, and helped collate and preserve of the family archive, which is now in the Liverpool Record Office.
He was actively involved in bringing George’s story into the public domain, contributing to the 2013 George Garrett Archive exhibition at Liverpool Central Library, public talks and events, and the development and delivery of walking tours exploring the Liverpool places connected to George’s life.
Sean with fellow Garretteers at the launch of the exhibition at Central Library in 2013
Education was another important part of Sean’s contribution. He delivered sessions for primary and secondary school pupils, helping them explore George’s life and encouraging them to create their own stories and comic strips. He was also involved in the memorable recreation of the 1922 Hunger March by pupils at St Vincent de Paul Catholic Primary School, George’s former school, where pupil’s marched with banners saying, ‘More Food Dude!’
Sean and The Garretteers worked in schools, teaching about Garrett’s life and work, and supporting pupils to write and create comic books based on George’s Life
Sean, clearly amused, no doubt proud, at the march and celebration event with pupils from St Vincent De Paul Primary School
Sean was equally willing to take part in the creative and theatrical side of the project. In 2015 he played a Steward in The Maurie: Subterranean Theatre, based on one of George Garrett’s short stories and staged at Liverpool’s Cunard Buildings.
One of the most memorable chapters of Sean’s involvement was his contribution to the story of George Garrett’s meeting with George Orwell in 1936. In 2018, in partnership with The Wigan Pier Project, Sean met Richard Blair, Orwell’s son, in Liverpool. Together they examined material from the Garrett Archive and discussed the historic meeting between their father and grandfather. Sean and Richard also appeared at WoWfest 2018 in Two Georges, discussing Garrett and Orwell and their very different lives and literary careers.
The encounter subsequently featured in a BBC The One Show programme in 2019, bringing the story of Garrett and Orwell to a national audience. Sean’s contribution was particularly valuable because he was able to speak both as George’s grandson and as someone who had spent years researching and helping to preserve his grandfather’s legacy.
In his diaries Orwell wrote that while he was with Garrett, he ‘Bought two brass candlesticks and a ship in a bottle. G considered I was swindled but they are quite nice brass.’
In a very touching and fitting end to the day’s filming, Richard Blair produced the very ship in a bottle that Orwell had bought in Liverpool in 1936. Sean was surprised, and probably a little more moved than he would have expected to be.
Sean Garrett, Richard Blair, holding the ship in a bottle bought by George Orwell in Liverpool in 1936
Sean was a passionate advocate for George’s work. Through interviews, public events and the Archive’s education programme and other activities, he shared memories of George’s character, politics and commitment to working-class people, helping audiences see him as much more than a footnote to Orwell.
Sean’s contribution also formed part of the wider work that led to the publication of Ten Years on the Parish: The Life and Letters of George Garrett by Liverpool University Press in 2017, bringing together Garrett’s autobiographical writing and correspondence and making his voice accessible to a new generation.
Sean Speaking at WoW’s 2017 May Day March to Launch George Garrett’s Ten Years on the Parish.
Sean made a final contribution to his grandfather’s legacy by recording his memories for The Unity Theatre’s Heritage Lottery-funded project, A Radical Reimagining. His voice featured in Stage Left, a production celebrating the theatre’s radical roots, from its formation in the 1930s as the Merseyside Left Theatre to its later development as Unity Theatre. George Garrett was a founder member of the theatre, as well as a writer and actor in its productions. Sean was immensely proud to have helped ensure that George’s important role in the Merseyside Left and Unity Theatre was recognised, both in Stage Left and as part of the theatre’s history.
A Legacy To Be Proud Of
Through exhibitions, performances, education, walking tours, research, talks and media appearances, Sean helped ensure that George Garrett’s story was not simply preserved in an archive, but brought back into public life. Most importantly, he helped establish George as a remarkable Liverpool writer, activist and social commentator in his own right.
While saddened at his passing, all at Writing on the Wall, The Garretteers, and all those who met him, are proud to have known him, to call him a friend, and are incredibly proud of the times we had together and what we achieved, of which Sean was such a vital part.
For Writing on the Wall, Sean was much more than a link to the Garrett family. He was a valued colleague, friend and fellow Garretteer whose enthusiasm, knowledge and humour, helped shape the Archive Project.
There is no doubt that his grandfather too would be very proud of all that Sean did to preserve and celebrate his legacy.
We send our thoughts and love to his family and friends, and will hold him in our memory as a friend and a comrade.
Mike Morris & Madeline Heneghan, Co-Directors.
Sean’s funeral will take place at 12noon on Wednesday 26th August, at Ullet Road Unitarian Church, L17 2AA.
Click on the links below for further articles and videos that feature Sean talking about his Grandfather George Garrett:
8th March 2019 Orwell Society – Orwell and Garrett in Liverpool
12th August 2018 Orwell Society – Over To Liverpool
A Tale of Two Georges – The Wigan Pier Project
Liverpool Echo, May 2013 Liverpool’s George Garrett Archive Project gets lottery backing
Dail Mirror, June 20178: The writer who accused George Orwell of writing “one long sneer” against the working classes
27th May 2018 Orwell Society: Two Georges
