Mark Rudd

About the Author

Mark Rudd is a veteran activist and writer whose life has been defined by the turbulent upheavals of the 1960s counterculture. As a prominent leader in Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), he played a pivotal role in organizing anti-war protests and pushing for radical social change on college campuses across America. His experiences with the Weathermen, a militant faction of the New Left, led to a dramatic shift from activism to life on the run, evading FBI scrutiny for nearly a decade. After resurfacing in the 1970s, Rudd transitioned into education, teaching at community colleges and advocating for peace and justice. In his memoir Underground: My Life with SDS and the Weathermen, he offers an unflinching, introspective account of youthful idealism, strategic missteps, and the enduring quest for a more equitable world. Today, Rudd continues to speak and write on issues of activism, democracy, and personal redemption.