Derek Humphry

Derek Humphry 2012

Derek Humphry (born 29 April 1930) is a British-born American journalist, author, and advocate for the right to die. He is best known for founding the Hemlock Society in 1980, one of the first groups to advocate for voluntary euthanasia and assisted suicide in the United States. Humphry's work in the right-to-die movement has sparked significant debate, discussion, and legislation on the ethics and legality of euthanasia and assisted suicide around the world.

Early Life and Career

Derek Humphry was born in Bath, England. He began his career as a journalist in England before moving to the United States. His interest in the right-to-die movement was deeply personal, stemming from his first wife, Jean's, battle with bone cancer. In 1975, Jean Humphry died by suicide with Derek's assistance, an event that profoundly impacted Humphry and led him to advocate for the legalization of assisted suicide.

Hemlock Society

In 1980, Humphry founded the Hemlock Society, named after the poison hemlock used by the ancient Greeks for voluntary death. The organization's mission was to improve care for the terminally ill and to support legislation allowing for terminally ill individuals to end their lives through physician-assisted suicide. The Hemlock Society played a pivotal role in bringing the conversation about voluntary euthanasia and assisted suicide into the public sphere.

Publications

Derek Humphry's experiences and views on euthanasia and assisted suicide are detailed in his books. His most notable work, Final Exit (1991), provides information on how terminally ill individuals can end their lives. The book became a bestseller and has been translated into multiple languages. Humphry has written several other books on the subject, including The Right to Die: Understanding Euthanasia and Jean's Way, a memoir detailing his wife's illness and death.

Legacy and Criticism

Humphry's advocacy for the right to die has been both praised and criticized. Supporters argue that his work has brought much-needed attention to the suffering of terminally ill patients and the importance of autonomy in end-of-life decisions. Critics, however, contend that his promotion of assisted suicide could lead to abuse and the devaluation of human life, particularly among the vulnerable.

Later Life

In later years, Derek Humphry continued to write and speak on issues related to euthanasia and assisted suicide. He has remained a prominent figure in the right-to-die movement, contributing to ongoing debates and legislation on the subject.

See Also

• Euthanasia
• Assisted suicide
• Right to die
• Hemlock Society