James Lerner Papers
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Dates
Creator
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Language of Materials
Abstract
James Lerner (1911-2003) was a labor journalist and organizer affiliated with the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America (UE). In 1933 he became National Youth Director of the American League Against War and Facism (known as the American League for Peace and Democracy after 1936). He wrote two anti-war pamphlets published by the League in 1934 and 1936, and later visited Spain during the Spanish Civil War. Lener later worked for Trade Union Services, an agency that prepared newspapers for new unions in the late 1930s, and assisted with various UE editions of the weekly publication People's Press. In 1940 he began to work for the union, which had recently launched its own newspaper, UE News. This collection documents Lerner's life, career, and political activities, with particular emphasis on his career in journalism and his involvement with the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America (UE). Materials include cartoons, postcards, photographs, correspondence, drafts of original writings, newspaper clippings, flyers and pamphlets, and artifacts documenting Lerner's union organizing work in the 1930s, his unpublished manuscripts, his interest and involvement in student peace movements, and the UE's delegation visit to the Soviet Union in 1972.
Historical/Biographical Note
James Lerner (1911-2003) was a labor journalist and organizer affiliated with the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America (UE). Born in New York, Lerner attended City College in 1927-1928 and spent an academic year at the Experimental College at the University of Wisconsin - Madison. In 1933 he became National Youth Director of the American League Against War and Facism (known as the American League for Peace and Democracy after 1936). He wrote two anti-war pamphlets published by the League in 1934 and 1936, and later visited Spain during the Spanish Civil War. Lener later worked for Trade Union Services, an agency that prepared newspapers for new unions in the late 1930s, and assisted with various UE editions of the weekly publication People's Press. In 1940 he began to work for the union, which had recently launched its own newspaper, UE News. As a staff writer, Lerner covered numerous subjects, including the federal anti-trust case against General Electric and the Krupp company in Germany. He also became the paper's primary photographer and assumed increasing editorial responsibilities in the 1950s, allowing him to puruse additional projects, including a labor history cartoon strip series and a regular humor column. He became UE News' managing editor in 1967 upon Tom Wright's retirement and mentored a new generation of labor journalists. In 1984, Lerner retired, after which he wrote and published his memoirs, entitled It Happened This Way.... He died in 2003.
Arrangement
This collection has not been arranged by an archivist, although some materials have been rehoused for preservation concerns.
Scope and Content Note
This collection documents the life, career, and political activities of James Lerner, with particular emphasis on his career in journalism and his involvement with the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America (UE). Materials include cartoons, postcards, photographs, correspondence, drafts of original writings, newspaper clippings, flyers and pamphlets, and artifacts documenting Lerner's union organizing work in the 1930s, his unpublished manuscripts, his interest and involvement in student peace movements, and the UE's delegation visit to the Soviet Union in 1972.
Subjects
Donors
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 James Lerner was not transferred to New York University. Permission to use materials must be secured from the copyright holder.
Preferred Citation
Identification of item, date; James Lerner Papers; WAG 305; box number; folder number; Tamiment Library/Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives, New York University.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated by Betty Lerner in several installments in 2009. The accession numbers associated with this gift are 2009.079, 2009.080, 2011.066, 2011.090, and 2011.112.
Separated Materials
Published books have been separated to the library collection.
About this Guide
Processing Information
Photographs were separated from this collection during initial processing and were established as a separate collection, the James Lerner Photographs (PHOTOS 277). In 2014, the photograph collection was reincorporated into the James Lerner Papers (WAG 305).
The crucifix in Box 5 was separated from this collection during initial processing and added to the Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives Artifacts (ALBA 270). In 2014, the crucifix was reincorporated into the James Lerner Papers (WAG 305).