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Guide to the Elizabeth Gurley Flynn Photographs PHOTOS 018
Descriptive Summary
| Title: |
Elizabeth Gurley Flynn Photographs |
| Dates [inclusive]: |
1895-1967 |
| Abstract: |
Elizabeth Gurley Flynn (1890-1964) was a leading Irish-American Communist, feminist,
labor organizer, orator, and campaigner for civil liberties. While barely in her twenties,
she became an organizer for the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) and a leader
of some of its most famous strikes. She was a founder of the American Civil Liberties
Union, and also worked to try to save the celebrated imprisoned anarchists Sacco and
Vanzetti from execution. In 1936, she joined the Communist Part of the United States
(CPUSA), in short order becoming a member of its Central Committee, and later of its
Political Bureau, and finally Chair, in 1961-1964. During these years she wrote a
bi-weekly column "Life of the Party" for the Party's newspaper, the Daily Worker, wrote an autobiography, ran for political office, and attended international conferences.
In 1952, her leadership role with the CPUSA resulted in her trial under the Smith
Act, and subsequently her conviction and incarceration in a Federal prison for 28
months. She died in Moscow in September, 1964. The approximately 239 photographs in
this collection--almost exclusively black and white prints-span the 1890s to the 1960s.
They document not only Flynn's public role as a revolutionary and spokesperson for
labor and civil liberties, but also her private roles as mother, lover, and family
member.
|
| Quantity: |
1.5 Linear Feet in three manuscript boxes. |
| Quantity: |
ca. 239 items (3x2, 5x7, 8x10; b&w) |
| Call Phrase: |
PHOTOS 018 |
