A post by Jesse Walker this morning brought me the sad news that L and P blogger, Kenneth R. Gregg, passed away of congestive heart failure on Friday. He was dogged by more than his share of health problems and personal tragedies.

In the first year after L and P was launched, Ken made frequent comments on our posts. His observations were always thoughtful and showed considerable knowledge of history. I was so impressed that I asked him to be a permanent member.

Ken was initially reluctant. With characteristic modesty, he wondered whether he would be out of his element on an academically-oriented blog. Fortunately, he relented. It was very much our gain.

Until his recent health problems, Ken was one of the most active members of L and P. His posts centered on the forgotten contributions of past libertarians, but he also weighed in on other issues when he felt a need to speak out on injustices.

Although Ken was not a professor himself, nobody was his equal as a champion for academic freedom. If vulnerable professors and students, regardless of their views, needed help, Ken always took the time to make phone calls or send emails defending their free speech.

While I did not have the pleasure of meeting Ken, he was obviously a kind-hearted soul. I never heard anyone utter a negative word about him.

For a good sampling of Ken's posts, visit his own blog, CLASSical Liberalism.

His presence will be sorely missed here.