Steve McGookinThe former SDLP leader, who has passed away at the age of 83, was a generational figure and a giant of Irish politics. The Nobel Peace Prize winner was central to the path that ended The Troubles and paved the way for the Good Friday Agreement.
Among the heartfelt tributes this morning have been condolences from political leaders at home and around the world, as well as personal recollections and appreciations from the people of his beloved Derry and the rest of the country.
Here are just a few:
‘I never thought in terms of being a leader. I thought very simply in terms of helping people’.
— Social Democratic and Labour Party (@SDLPlive) August 3, 2020
Nobel Laureate and former SDLP Leader John Hume passed away last night. We all live in the Ireland he imagined – at peace and free to decide our own destiny.
Thank you, John. pic.twitter.com/0yO5KWaTv7
This is what John Hume meant to the people of Derry, a city that put their arms around their son when he needed it most. “It’s no easy feat to raise people up when they’ve always had a boot on their back.” Rest easy John Hume. https://t.co/e5CkDs9UTI
— aoife-grace moore. (@aoifegracemoore) August 3, 2020
Ireland has lost a giant.
— Heather Wilson (@hevwilson_e) August 3, 2020
John Hume has left us all a legacy that politics is, above all else, about people. May we always be true to that. #ThankYouJohn
Blessed are the peacemakers. ❤️💚 pic.twitter.com/3ESXnxtQu2
The influence one person can have on a place is often overstated. It is very, very difficult to overstate the effect John Hume had on Derry, and Northern Ireland, over decades and decades of service – much of it difficult, exhausting and thankless. He was, and is, a giant. RIP. pic.twitter.com/xW2Tk3ircJ
— Séamas It Ever Was (@shockproofbeats) August 3, 2020
John Hume obituary: Nationalist leader who championed ‘agreed Ireland’ https://t.co/bxr4Qj6Bmr via @IrishTimesLife
— Fintan O'Toole (@fotoole) August 3, 2020
Very sad news. He led a life that made a difference and leaves a legacy that will live on. RIP John Hume https://t.co/9ubd7tM2Pe
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) August 3, 2020
John Hume was blessed with an extraordinary mix of talents. Without him Ireland’s peace process would not have happened as it did, writes Northern Editor Tommie Gorman https://t.co/FkyKpS5tqs
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) August 3, 2020
Derry, and the whole island, is in mourning today following the passing of our friend, leader and greatest peacemaker.
— Colum Eastwood (@columeastwood) August 3, 2020
We can never repay all that John did for us but we can live the values that meant so much to him. We shall overcome. pic.twitter.com/GXpcNnu5AW
Sincere condolences to Pat & the wider Hume family. A giant in Irish nationalism, John left his unique mark in the House of Commons, Brussels & Washington. In our darkest days he recognised that violence was the wrong path & worked steadfastly to promote democratic politics. pic.twitter.com/Ctkdfxa4Au
— Arlene Foster #We’llMeetAgain (@DUPleader) August 3, 2020
Saddened to hear of the death of John Hume. A huge political figure in our society for many decades. A leader who took risks that ultimately helped bring about peace. He will be sadly missed. My thoughts are with Pat and his family circle and with his @SDLPlive family.
— Michelle O’Neill (@moneillsf) August 3, 2020
Ireland’s greatest & lodestar of the peace we enjoy today.
— Claire Hanna (@ClaireHanna) August 3, 2020
More or less all the enduring & successful ideas about resolving the centuries old conflict here came from the brain of John Hume.
Pluralist, internationalist, social democratic & resolutely non-violent. RIP John Hume pic.twitter.com/fnbyDZqTHk
Statement by President Higgins on the death of John Hume: https://t.co/MNf87y41RL pic.twitter.com/e69JLwbOxK
— President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) August 3, 2020
It is impossible to properly express the scale and significance of John Hume’s life. He was one of the towering figures of Irish public life of the last century. His vision and tenacity saved this country. We owe him and his wife Pat so much. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) August 3, 2020
John Hume was admired not just on this continent but across every continent. He was a great leader, a much-acclaimed peacemaker and inspirational statesman and a good friend who will be missed – GB.
— Gordon & Sarah Brown (@OfficeGSBrown) August 3, 2020
John Hume, who had served as an MEP, returned to the European Parliament with David Trimble after they won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1998 pic.twitter.com/AD6W1xTehk
— Georg von Harrach (@georgvh) August 3, 2020
For those of you who don't know: #JohnHume was our #JohnLewis pic.twitter.com/Olhmqsl7h7
— WritersFrock 💚 (@WritersFrock) August 3, 2020
It is a strange thing that John Lewis & John Hume would both pass in such a short space of time.
— Richard Chambers (@newschambers) August 3, 2020
Civil Rights in the North was inspired by Civil Rights in the US.
In 2013, Lewis and Hume linked arms as they crossed the Peace Bridge – huge mutual respecthttps://t.co/E5xgZV57wC pic.twitter.com/VBu6t3BXsJ
Through his faith in principled compromise, and his ability to see his adversaries as human beings, John Hume helped forge the peace that has held to this day. My full statement on my friend's passing here: https://t.co/JZ42lwYWFR
— Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) August 3, 2020
I have no words that could possibly do this Man’s life and legacy justice. Perhaps I should just use the ones he said time and time again “ We Shall Overcome.”Thank you John. You gave us peace, now rest in it 🕊 #JohnHume pic.twitter.com/8UH5wqq8Hs
— Lisa McGee (@LisaMMcGee) August 3, 2020
So sad to hear about John Hume this morning. In our darkest days he knew the only thing worth fighting for was peace. And he refused to give up until he helped delivery it. Thank you for changing our lives. And our future. RIP
— Patrick Kielty (@PatricKielty) August 3, 2020
"And so, the challenge now is to grasp and shape history: to show that past grievances and injustices can give way to a new generosity of spirit and action.”
— HAPP at Queen's (@HAPPatQUB) August 3, 2020
From John Hume’s 1998 Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech. https://t.co/WYZKz1iiBt
If you have a personal recollection of John Hume, his life or influence, let us know.