Details

Inclusive Dates

1904 - 1967

Linear Feet

97.0

Finding Aid Url

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Norman Matoon Thomas (1884-1968), the American Socialist leader, started his career as a Presbyterian minister in New York City. He became active in the peace movement during World War I and founded the National Civil Liberties Bureau (renamed American Civil Liberties Union in 1920) with Roger Baldwin. Thomas became an active member of the Socialist Party of America, was co-director of the League for Industrial Democracy, and edited the socialist magazine, The World Tomorrow. He ran unsuccessfully for the presidency of the U.S. six times on the Socialist ticket and was active in the civil rights, universal disarmament and anti-war movements throughout his life. Collection consists of correspondence, diaries, speeches, writings, newspaper columns, press releases, and other papers relating to Thomas' career in national politics, his leadership of the Socialist Party and of the labor movement, and his association with various organizations. General correspondence, 1905-1967, accounts for the bulk of the collection and provides, particularly after 1932, an almost daily record of his activities and concerns. These papers document his relationship with leading politicians, government officials, trade union leaders, and major intellectual and political figures of his time. Organizational files, 1904-1967, consist of documents relating to the numerous organizations with which Thomas was involved. Speeches, 1911-1967, include drafts and final copies of his speeches, statements, interviews, publicity materials and many of his speaking schedules. Writings, 1917-1967, contain published and unpublished essays, books, newspaper columns, journals, diaries and unpublished autobiography. Subject files, 1905-1967, consist of reports, essays, clippings, and other printed matter concerning foreign and domestic affairs, civil liberties and discrimination, and war and peace. Also includes records and memorabilia, 1936-1964, from testimonial celebrations held in his honor; financial papers, 1933-1967, family papers, 1915-1969; biographical and publicity materials, 1903-1964; and photographs, ca. 1900-1966.

Location

• New York Public Library
  476 5th Ave, New York, NY 10018, USA