Newtown icon Bob Gould dies

Family and friends of Bob Gould were amazed on Monday by the flood of support following the bookstore owner and activist’s recent death.

Following Gould’s death on Sunday morning, customers and community members have overwhelmed the second-hand bookstore with their respects.

Mairi Petersen, ex wife and close friend of Gould said:

“It’s been nice to know so many people have paid their respects. People have been coming in all morning with anecdotes.”

Peterson said one older man who came into the store to pay his respect claimed to be Gould’s first ever customer.

Family and friends had gathered in Gould’s bookstore on King Street after the bookseller and outspoken community member died at age 74 on Sunday.

Gould had been unwell for some time and died almost instantly after falling down stairs and fracturing his head.

Petersen said:

“It was a very sad end for person who has led an outstanding life.”

Gould was a prominent figure within Australian left wing politics since he was one of the first Australian’s to be arrested for staging a protest against the Vietnam War in 1965.

His bookstores have often hosted political debates and he was a prominent supporter of human rights and freedom of speech.

Greens senator, Lee Rhiannon said:

“Bob was a colourful and outspoken campaigner of some of the great social movements of the second half of the twentieth century. He and his style of politics will be missed.”

Gould’s bookstore on 32 King Street has been open since 1988 and specialises in Australian history and politics.

By Nicholas Jordan