National Guardian Photographs
Call Number
Date
Creator
Extent
Language of Materials
Abstract
The National Guardian (later known as The Guardian) was a radical leftist weekly newspaper published in New York City between 1948 and 1992. The National Guardian reported on labor, activism, reform, and social movements without particular party affiliations, advocating for a unified leftist party in the United States. Known for its independent and investigative journalism, the paper produced significant pieces on civil rights and the Cold War, and was one of the few publications to print news sympathetic to Julius and Ethel Rosenberg during their trial and execution, with much of the paper's reporting coming from William A. Reuben. This collection is comprised of the photograph files of the National Guardian, consisting of approximately 44,465 8x10 black-and-white photographic prints, along with some original cartoons and other graphic materials. The materials reflect the subject matter of the newspaper itself, reporting labor, activism, reform, and social movements.
Historical/Biographical Note
The National Guardian (later known as The Guardian) was a radical leftist weekly newspaper published in New York City between 1948 and 1992. The paper was founded by James Aronson, Cedric Belfrage, and John T. McManus with the purpose of providing an alternative perspective to the mainstream media during the Cold War. The paper's early years focused on and supported New Deal programs and the New York American Labor Party (ALP). The National Guardian reported on labor, activism, reform, and social movements without particular party affiliations, advocating for a unified leftist party in the United States. Known for its independent and investigative journalism, the paper produced significant pieces on civil rights and the Cold War, and was one of the few publications to print news sympathetic to Julius and Ethel Rosenberg during their trial and execution, with much of the paper's reporting coming from William A. Reuben.
During the 1960s, the paper shifted directions toward the New Left, with Aronson selling his shares and the publication changing its name to the Guardian. In the 1970s, the Guardian supported Marxism-Leninism, calling for a new Marxist-Leninist party in the United States. The paper established Guardian Clubs for readers in the 1980s, which gave rise to competitor publications Frontline and Line of March. After years of declining circulation and financial difficulties, the paper ceased publication in 1992.
Arrangement
This collection has not been arranged by an archivist. The materials are arranged in the order in which they were received from the donor.
Scope and Content Note
This collection is comprised of the photograph files of the National Guardian, consisting of approximately 44,465 8x10 black-and-white photographic prints, along with some original cartoons and other graphic materials. The materials reflect the subject matter of the newspaper itself, reporting on labor and the left without particular party affiliations, advocating for a unified leftist party in the United States. Known for its independent and investigative journalism, the paper produced numerous significant articles concerning civil rights and the Cold War, including coverage of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg's trial and execution. The photographs document both domestic and international events, with an emphasis on activism, reform, and social movements.
Subjects
Donors
Conditions Governing Access
Materials are open without restrictions.
Conditions Governing Use
Any rights (including copyright and related rights to publicity and privacy) held by the National Guardian, were transferred to New York University in 2005 by Gregory Jocz. Permission to publish or reproduce materials in this collection must be secured from Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Archives. Please contact tamiment.wagner@nyu.edu, (212) 998-2630.
Preferred Citation
Identification of item, date; National Guardian Photographs; PHOTOS 213; box number; folder number; Tamiment Library/Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives, New York University.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated by Gregory Jocz in 2005. The accession numbers associated with this gift are 2005.041 and NPA.2005.122.
The accession number NPA.2005.050 is also associated with this collection.
About this Guide
Processing Information
Photographs were rehoused in acid-free folders and boxes. Folder titles are original to National Guardian staff, with the exception of a small number of folders with titles in brackets, which were described by archivists.
In August 2018, boxes were renumbered to reflect rehousing. Researchers with citations to previous box numbers may contact tamiment.wagner@nyu.edu for assistance with identifying new box numbers.
