Prominent social activist Harry Leslie Smith dies in hospital

Harry Leslie Smith, a British air force veteran who became a prominent social activist, has died.

Smith wrote several books on the Great Depression, the Second World War and post-war austerity making a name for himself on Twitter.

He split his time living in England and Canada.

The 95-year-old has been in a Belleville hospital since falling earlier this month.

Online tributes have been pouring in for him since, including from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Harry’s journey and courage have inspired so much love and kindness on this site, and in the real world too. Thank you for taking us along – we’re pulling for you. https://t.co/N6AVk9knaP

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) November 21, 2018

His son has been issuing regular medical updates to Smith’s 250,000 Twitter followers.

He tweeted early Wednesday morning that his father had died.

At 3:39 this morning, my dad Harry Leslie Smith died. I am an orphan. #istandwithharry

— Harry Leslie Smith (@Harryslaststand) November 28, 2018

Having lived through the Great Depression, Smith was a lifelong advocate for the poor.

He was critical of the dismantling of social welfare systems and drew parallels between global crises of the past and the current environment.

I am back home to our home and I alone. It is 4:36 in the morning and I am wrapped in the blanket that covered him as he lay dying. And, I know exactly what my steps are. I will follow in his footsteps. I will endeavour to finish his projects.

— Harry Leslie Smith (@Harryslaststand) November 28, 2018