Sidney Eisenberger Autobiographical Manuscript "Communism on Campus: Recollections and Comments of a Former Communist Teacher at CCNY"
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Abstract
Sidney Eisenberger (b. 1907), was a New York City Communist, and a chemistry instructor at City College, City University of New York (City). In 1941 he was fired for allegedly giving false testimony to the New York State Legislature Joint Legislative Committee to Investigate the Educational System of the State of New York, known as the Rapp-Coudert Committee (1940-42), created to examine the extent of "subversive activities" in the state's schools and colleges, when he denied being a member of the Communist Party. Eisenberger subsequently worked as an engineer. In his later years he wrote an unpublished autobiographical typescript, "Communism on Campus: Recollections and Comments of a Former Communist Teacher at CCNY," that describes his family, youth, education, political views, years at CCNY and his dismissal therefrom, his work at the Gussack Machine Products Company, and his later disillusionment with Communism.
Historical/Biographical Note
Sidney Eisenberger (b. 1907), was a New York City Communist, and a chemistry instructor at City College, City University of New York (City).
The New York State Legislature Joint Legislative Committee to Investigate the Educational System of the State of New York, known as the Rapp-Coudert Committee (1940-42) was created to examine the extent of "subversive activities" in the state's schools and colleges. The Committee subpoenaed City College students, faculty and administrators, who were required to give testimony about their political affiliations and those of their associates. Among some fifty staff and faculty alleged to be members of the Communist Party, eleven, including Eisenberger, were dismissed on April 22, 1941, for allegedly giving false testimony to the Rapp-Coudert Committee when they denied Communist Party membership during the Committee's hearings.
Subsequently, Eisenberger went to work for Gussack Machine Products, whose general manager and part owner, Moses Cammer, employed many blacklisted professionals. In his later years, Eisenberger wrote this autobiographical typescript.
Sources:
The Struggle for Free Speech at CCNY, 1931-1942, an online exhibit. (http://www.vny.cuny.edu/gutter/panels/panel1.html)
Arrangement
The folders are arranged by chapter number.
The files are grouped into 1 series:
Missing Title
- I, Communism on Campus: Recollections and Comments of a Former Communist Teacher at CCNY.
Scope and Content Note
The collection contains an unpublished autobiographical typescript, "Communism on Campus: Recollections and Comments of a Former Communist Teacher at CCNY," describes Eisenberger's family, youth, education, political views, years at CCNY and his dismissal therefrom, his work at the Gussack Machine Products company, and his later disillusionment with Communism. There is also one small folder of copies of web pages from online exhibitions relating to the Rapp-Coudert firings.
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Conditions Governing Access
Materials are open without restrictions.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright (or related rights to publicity and privacy) for materials in this collection, created by Sidney Eisenberger, was not transferred to New York University. Permission to use materials must be secured from the copyright holder.
Preferred Citation
Published citations should take the following form:
Identification of item, date; Collection name; Collection number; box number; folder number;
Tamiment Library/Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives
Elmer Holmes Bobst Library
70 Washington Square South
New York, NY 10012, New York University Libraries.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Materials donated by Steve Leberstein in 2006. The accession number associated with this gift is 2006.023.
