The death of Aaron Swartz, the Reddit co-founder and internet freedom activist who is reported to have killed himself in New York on Friday, prompted a flood of tributes on Twitter.
Given Swartz's status as a committed and prominent advocate for online freedom, it was fitting that Tim Berners-Lee was among those to honour him. The inventor of the world wide web was one of many friends, colleagues and supporters who took to social media to pay their respects.
Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the world wide web
Aaron dead.World wanderers, we have lost a wise elder.Hackers for right, we are one down.Parents all, we have lost a child. Let us weep.
— Tim Berners-Lee (@timberners_lee) January 12, 2013
Cory Doctorow, author and blogger
I just woke up to find out that my old friend Aaron Swartz committed suicide. If you are depressed/hopeless, please talk to your friends.
— Cory Doctorow (@doctorow) January 12, 2013
Larry Lessig, professor and founder of Creative Commons
There is no way to express this sadness. @aaronsw RIP.
— Lessig (@lessig) January 12, 2013
Glenn Greenwald, Guardian blogger and columnist
This is so unbelievably sad and horrible on so many levels - RIP @aaronsw is.gd/eZrSXZ (via @lessig: is.gd/C47FtH)
— Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) January 12, 2013
Birgitta Jonsdottir, Icelandic politician and free speech campaigner
26 yr old Aaron Swartz has committed suicide tech.mit.edu/V132/N61/swart…He was facing 25yrs for sharing info to the public #JSTOR #demandprogress
— Birgitta Jónsdóttir (@birgittaj) January 12, 2013
Trevor Timm, activist at Electronic Frontier Foundation
Aaron Swartz's brief but brilliant life was dedicated to the access of information. Read his own words, an inspiration aaronsw.jottit.com/howtoget
— Trevor Timm (@trevortimm) January 12, 2013
W3C Team, a web-based community dedicated to internet growth
We are saddened that Aaron Swartz, long-time collaborator, ended his life yesterday. Rest in peace, young bright man tech.mit.edu/V132/N61/swart…
— W3C Team (@w3c) January 12, 2013
