David Harris Cause Of Death: What Happened To Joan Baez Husband?

David Victor Harris, a prominent American journalist and activist, passed away on February 6, 2023, at the age of 76. His life was marked by a steadfast commitment to social causes, a significant role in the anti-Vietnam War movement, and a distinguished career in journalism and writing.

Early Life and Education

Born on February 28, 1946, in Fresno, California, David Harris hailed from a family with diverse backgrounds. His father, Clifton G. Harris Jr., was a real estate lawyer, while his mother, Elaine Jensen Harris, was a devoted Christian Scientist. Harris had a brother, Clifton G. Harris III, who was slightly older than him.

David Harris and his brother both attended public schools in Fresno. During his time at Fresno High School, Harris excelled in various fields, including football, academics, and debate. He graduated in 1963 and was honored as the “Boy of the Year.” His academic prowess earned him a scholarship to Stanford University, where he would embark on a transformative journey.

Draft Resistance and Activism

At Stanford University, Harris became deeply involved in the Civil Rights Movement and was eventually elected as the student body president in 1966. However, it was during the Vietnam War era that he rose to national prominence. In 1967, he played a pivotal role in founding “The Resistance,” an organization advocating civil disobedience against military conscription and the war it fueled.

“The Resistance” organized public draft card returns, a daring action that could lead to up to five years of imprisonment. Harris himself refused to report for military service in January 1968, leading to immediate indictment. He was charged with “disobedience of a lawful order of induction” and subsequently tried in federal court in San Francisco in May 1968. The verdict was a conviction and a three-year prison sentence, with the judge acknowledging, “you may be right, but you’re going to be punished.”

His steadfast commitment to his principles led to a year of appeals before he was incarcerated. Harris spent a total of twenty months in the Federal Prison System, experiencing time in San Francisco County Jail, the Federal Prison Camp in Safford, Arizona, and the Federal Correctional Institution in La Tuna, Texas. He was paroled on March 15, 1971, and continued his anti-war activism until peace agreements were signed in March 1973.

In addition to his activism, David Harris ran for Congress in 1976 as the Democratic Party candidate, speaking against the resumption of Selective Service registration and in support of draft registration resisters in the 1980s and beyond.

Journalism and Writing

Following his release from prison, Harris entered the world of journalism. In March 1973, Jann Wenner, the founder and publisher of Rolling Stone magazine, gave Harris a chance to contribute, marking the beginning of his more than 40-year career as a national and international magazine journalist. In 1978, Harris signed a contributing editor contract with the New York Times Magazine, where he worked for the next decade.

Harris’s career continued to evolve as he ventured into writing books, ultimately authoring eleven publications. His journalistic pursuits covered a wide range of national and international stories.

Personal Life and Relationship with Joan Baez

David Harris’s personal life was intertwined with his activism. In October 1967, folk musician Joan Baez, along with nearly 70 other women, was arrested for blocking the entrance to the Oakland, California, Armed Forces Induction Center in protest of military induction. Harris, who went to Baez’s home to seek a donation for “The Resistance,” would soon form a deep connection with the iconic folk singer.

The couple’s relationship developed rapidly, and Joan Baez moved into Harris’s draft-resistance commune in the hills above Stanford, California. After a whirlwind romance of just three months, they decided to marry. The wedding, dubbed the “Wedding of the Century” by Time magazine, took place in New York City on March 26, 1968, with Judy Collins singing at the ceremony.

Their union was marked by activism, but it faced challenges. After David Harris refused induction into the armed forces and was subsequently indicted, Baez was visibly pregnant during a period of intense public scrutiny, including her performance at the Woodstock Festival. Their son, Gabriel, was born on December 2, 1969. However, the strains of activism and personal challenges led to their separation just three months after Harris’s release from prison, culminating in an amicable divorce in 1973. They maintained a friendly relationship throughout the years.

Harris would go on to marry journalist and novelist Lacey Fosburgh in 1977, with whom he had a daughter, Sophie, in 1983. Tragically, Fosburgh passed away in 1993 due to complications from breast cancer.

In 1996, Harris embarked on a relationship with physician Cheri Forrester, eventually marrying her in 2011. They made their home in Mill Valley, California, where they enjoyed their life together.

Passing and Legacy

David Harris’s life journey, from anti-war activism to a distinguished journalism career, was marked by unwavering principles and a commitment to causes he believed in. On February 6, 2023, David Harris passed away at his Mill Valley home from lung cancer. His legacy lives on through his writings, activism, and the impact he had on those who knew him.

David Harris’s story is a testament to the power of conviction, the pursuit of justice, and a life dedicated to making a difference.