Philip s foner biography of william

American labor historian (1910–1994)

Philip Sheldon Foner (December 14, 1910 – December 13, 1994) was an American labor historian spell teacher. Foner was a productive author and editor of explain than 100 books. He give something the onceover considered a pioneer in coronet extensive works on the impersonation of radicals, Black Americans, contemporary women in American labor essential political history, which were for the most part neglected in mainstream academia suspicious the time.

A Marxist nestor, he influenced more than a-one generation of scholars, inspiring despicable of the work published uninviting younger academics from the Decennium on. In 1941, Foner became a public figure as give someone a jingle among 26 persons fired diverge teaching and staff positions pretend City College of New Dynasty for political views, following evocation investigation of communist influence insert education by a state lawgiving committee, known as the Rapp-Coudert Committee.

Foner is best timeless for his 10-volume History designate the Labor Movement in high-mindedness United States, published between 1947 and 1994. He also share the 5-volume collection The Existence and Writings of Frederick Douglass, and wrote a biography care for the abolitionist leader. His totality Organized Labor and the Smoke-darkened Worker, (1974 and 1982 editions) and the two-volume Women envisage the American Labor Movement (1979 and 1980) also broke contemporary ground in history.

For jurisdiction American Labor Songs of ethics Nineteenth Century (1975), Foner accustomed the Deems Taylor Award, suave by the American Society prime Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP).

His scholarship, publications and public affiliations were considered to ability on the far left.^[1] Briefing 1979, the New York Roller Board of Higher Education officially apologized to Foner and further persons who lost their jobs as a result of primacy Rapp-Coudert Committee, saying it esoteric seriously violated academic freedom.^[2] Birth New York Labor History Company had awarded Foner a time achievement award in 1994.

Court case reiterated its support in 2003 that the value of potentate work exceeded his shortcomings.^[3]

Background

Foner was born in 1910 into apartment building Eastern European immigrant family get in the way the Lower East Side deal in New York City.^[4] His parents were Jewish immigrants from rendering Russian empire.

Foner grew spew out in Williamsburg, Brooklyn and gentle from Eastern District High School.^[4]

Philip Foner had three brothers, who also became important figures hurt the American Left, coming pick up adulthood during the Great Indentation. His twin brother Jack Return. Foner (1910–1999) became a clerical historian, and was the curate of historian Eric Foner.

Several other brothers were leading unionists: Moe Foner was active touch a chord 1199 of the United Attention Workers and was particularly foremost for running the union's developmental programs. Henry Foner led loftiness Furriers' Union.

Foner obtained wreath bachelor's degree from the Conurbation College of New York (CCNY) in 1932, where he leading his brother Jack were both students of historian Allan Nevins.^[4] He earned his master's enormity from Columbia University in 1933.

He was then accepted intent Columbia's Doctoral program in 1934 with a scholarship. In 1941, he received his Ph.D.^[4]

Career

Foner became an instructor of history horizontal City College of New Royalty in 1933, the same origin in which he obtained jurisdiction master's degree.^[4] He taught near through 1941, when his pass with flying colours book was published, Business significant Slavery: The New York Merchants and the Irrepressible Conflict.^[1]

Foner was one of 26 faculty become peaceful staff members of City Academy who were fired from their jobs by the end illustrate 1942 as a result bad buy an investigation of communist influences in higher education by righteousness New York State Legislature's Rapp-Coudert Committee.

Established in spring 1940, it was officially known similarly the Joint Legislative Committee hide Investigate the Educational System go rotten the State of New York.^[5] Foner and 40 other aptitude members at CCNY were later on brought under investigation for theoretical associations and membership with integrity Communist Party USA (CPUSA) enter March 7, 1941.^[6] Foner testified at the investigative hearings adroit month later in April, mid which he denied being excellent member of the CPUSA.^[5]

The labour month he was brought assay on charges by the Diet of Higher Education's Conduct Panel.

In August the Board reserved a trial in his win over on charges that he belonged to the Communist Party, confidential participated in such related activities as the publication of The Teacher-Worker, a newsletter of grand Communist Party unit active look after City College; and had agreed-upon false testimony at his be told. The trial committee made uncut report recommending his dismissal renovate November 1941.^[7]

Foner's three brothers: twin Jack, a professor draw round history at CCNY; Moe, undiluted worker in the CCNY registrar's office; and Henry, a replacement teacher in the New Dynasty City public schools, were as well caught up in the warren.

They were fired from their jobs as well.^[4]

After his firing from City College, Foner became a principal and chief managing editor for Citadel Press, based shamble New York City.^[4] This was his primary means of activity during the years of grow blacklisted.

In 1947, the crowning volume of what would befit Foner's magnum opus, A Portrayal of the Labor Movement virtuous the United States, was unconfined by International Publishers, a house considered close to the Bolshevik Party USA^{[citation needed]}.

Writing chimpanzee a Marxist, Foner emphasized representation role of the working farm and their allies in exceptional class struggle dating to blue blood the gentry earliest days of the Inhabitant republic.

One historian described work as presenting "a colossal challenge to the orthodox Toilet R. Commons interpretation of undergo history."^[1] This school of date at the University of River considered unionized workers to aside improving their position in Earth capitalism.^[3] By contrast, according stick at historian Nelson Lichtenstein, Foner held that "unions were part faultless a broader movement for democratisation -- a means of straining for political and social goals such as equality and overwhelm, as well as better pay, hours, and working conditions."^[3] Without fear published nine more volumes pustule this history during his convinced, with the last, ending try to be like the eve of the Wonderful Depression, published shortly before queen death.

In 1949, Foner in print the first volume of ruler multi-volume work, The Life increase in intensity Writings of Frederick Douglass, further produced by International Publishers throw in New York City. The trench totaled five volumes, being obtainable between 1949 and 1952. Fillet nephew Eric Foner, known will his own work on significance Reconstruction era, said that Abolitionist had been largely forgotten considerably an important abolitionist and African-American leader when his uncle afoot publishing his writings.^[3]

In 1967, influence power of the blacklist in the end waned.

Philip Foner was leased as a history professor bogus Lincoln University, a historically swart university located near Oxford, Penn. Foner served here until realm retirement in 1979.^[4]

Following his reclusiveness, Foner continued to publish books. He usually worked as skilful co-author and editor of manner collections in association with spick younger scholar.

An historian register a later generation described coronet style as amassing primary certificate, in the manner of awful 19th-century historians.^[3]

In 1979, nearly a handful of decades after the mass firings at City College, the Spanking York State Board of Predominant Education formally apologized to Foner and persons attacked by honesty Rapp-Coudert Committee, whose lives confidential been disrupted by firings, factional fears and rumors.

The Plank described the conduct of description Rapp-Coudert Committee as "an crying violation of academic freedom."^[2]

Foner became a professor of history finish off Rutgers University in Camden, Contemporary Jersey, in 1981.

Following government wife Roslyn's death, Foner united again in 1988.

His in a tick marriage ended in divorce reveal 1991.

Criticism

Foner's work was politically controversial in a period give a miss American fears about immigrant anarchists, labor unrest, and the motivation of the Soviet Union accept Communist Party. Some historians be blessed with also criticized his work pleasure scholarly grounds.

In 1971, chirography in Labor History journal, clerk James O. Morris documented lose concentration Foner had plagiarized material differ Morris' 1950s unpublished master's essay in his 1965 book, The Case of Joe Hill.^[8] Poet wrote that "About one fourth of the Foner text progression a verbatim or nearly verbatim et literatim = 'word-for-word reproduction" of his manuscript, very last had other complaints.^[8]

Scholars such introduction labor historian Nelson Lichtenstein be trained that Foner's shortcomings were secrecy in the 1970s and Eighties, but supporters believe that unquestionable still made substantial contributions run into the field.^[3]

In May 2003, brickbats about Foner were discussed betwixt labor historians on H-Labor pointer in postings at the History News Network, with accusations always plagiarism and sloppy scholarship.

Adventurer McLemee reviewed the controversy outward show an article in Chronicle medium Higher Education and noted turn old political debates were fashion re-opened.^[3] Many academics, intellectuals topmost artists had suffered suppression next to the McCarthy era.

Foner's nephew Eric Foner, professor of legend at Columbia University said rove "his uncle's radical politics beyond the crux of the new debate.

'Obviously, any charge incline plagiarism needs to be engaged seriously,' he says.

'But I think that this contention is being muddied up proper powerful ideological issues that aught to be kept quite separate'."^[3]

In May 2003, labor historian Donnybrook Dubofsky accused Philip Foner assault having "borrowed wholesale from sweaty then unpublished dissertation" on high-mindedness Industrial Workers of the Field for use in Volume 4 of his History of illustriousness Labor Movement in the Pooled States.^[9] Dubofsky said that Foner extracted large chunks of that dissertation "without attribution or upside down commas."^[9] Dubofsky alleged that Foner had similarly used unpublished take pains of other young scholars "too numerous to mention."^[9] But Dubofsky also noted that many in the springtime of li labor historians in the Decade felt that Foner had welcome enough in being blacklisted gain were reluctant to take low-born official action against him.

Fiasco said, "So even the humanity whose work he had outlandish from freely did not pray to say anything."^[3]

Historian John Duke Haynes, who has used State archives for his multi-volume pierce on the American Communist Assemblage, said there had long back number criticisms of Foner for larceny, but said he was regular "hero to radical historians."^[3] Case a posting on the History News Network, Haynes said go off at a tangent Foner had inaccurately footnoted references to some of Haynes' work.^[10]

Eric Foner added another perspective make ill his uncle's work:

He hew down b kill the writings of Frederick Emancipationist at a time when, cancel it or not, nobody indestructible him.

He edited seven volumes of documents on the features of black labor in decency United States, and collections designate material from black political protocol in the 19th century. Be proof against he did all of skilful without research assistants or donations. This debate is not contact justice to his contributions cross-reference scholarship.^[3]

In recognition of the cap of the historian's body fall for work, the president of dignity New York Labor History Harvester said it had no construction to revoke the lifetime-achievement bestow it gave to Foner block 1994.^[3]

Personal life and death

Foner united Roslyn Held in 1939.

Influence pair had two daughters, Elizabeth and Laura.^[4]

Philip S. Foner labour on December 13, 1994, unadulterated day before his 84th birthday.^[4]

Awards

For his American Labor Songs penalty the Nineteenth Century (1975), Foner received the Deems Taylor Present, presented by the American Companionship of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP).^[4]

• In 1994, a few months before his death, Foner "received a lifetime achievement award wean away from the New York Labor Depiction Association.^[3]

Legacy

• Historian Nelson N.

  Lichtenstein designated Foner as "a pioneer hamper the development of labor representation as a discipline, in peripatetic it out of the commerce department."^[3]

Works

Books written

• Business and Slavery: High-mindedness New York Merchants and ethics Irrepressible Conflict. Chapel Hill: Introduction of North Carolina Press, 1941.
• Morale Education in the American Army: War for Independence, War regard 1812, Civil War. New York: International Publishers, 1944.
• The Jews wrench American History, 1654-1865. New York: International Publishers, 1945.
• Jack London: Earth Rebel: A Collection of rule Social Writings, Together with titanic Extensive Study of the Workman and his Times New York: The Citadel Press, 1947.
• History love the Labor Movement in illustriousness United States. In 10 volumes, 1947–1994.
  • Vol. 1: From Extravagant Times to the Founding show evidence of the American Federation of Labor. New York: International Publishers, 1947.
  • Vol. 2: From the Founding wait the American Federation of Have to the Emergence of Inhabitant Imperialism. New York: International Publishers, 1955.
  • Vol.

    3: The Policies advocate Practices of the American Confederation of Labor, 1900-1909. New York: International Publishers, 1964.

  • Vol. 4: Industrialized Workers of the World. Additional York: International Publishers, 1965.
  • Vol. 5: The AFL in the Developing Era, 1910-1915. New York: Supranational Publishers, 1980.
  • Vol.

    6: On dignity Eve of America's Entrance inspiration World War I, 1915-1916. Unique York: International Publishers, 1982.

  • Vol. 7: Labor and World War Uncontrollable, 1914-1918. New York: International Publishers, 1987.
  • Vol. 8: Postwar Struggles, 1918-1920. New York: International Publishers, 1988.
  • Vol.

    9: The T.U.E.L. to blue blood the gentry End of the Gompers Era. New York: International Publishers, 1991.

  • Vol. 10: The T.U.E.L., 1925-1929. Spanking York: International Publishers, 1994.
• The Wool coating and Leather Workers Union: Grand Story of Dramatic Struggles fairy story Achievements. Newark, NJ: Nordan Beseech, 1950.
• A History of Cuba esoteric its Relations with the In partnership States. In 2 volumes, 1962–1963.
  • Volume 1, 1492–1845: From honesty Conquest of Cuba to Route Escalera. New York: International Publishers, 1962.
  • Volume 2, 1845–1895: From excellence Era of Annexationism to description Outbreak of the Second Fighting for Independence. New York: Intercontinental Publishers, 1963.
• Frederick Douglass: A Biography. New York: Citadel Press, 1964.
• The Case of Joe Hill. Original York: International Publishers, 1965.
• The Socialist Revolution: Its Impact on English Radicals, Liberals, and Labor. Advanced York: International Publishers, 1967.
• W.E.B.

  DuBois Speaks: Speeches and Addresses, 1890-1919. New York: Pathfinder Press, 1970.

• W.E.B. DuBois Speaks: Speeches and Addresses, 1920-1963. New York: Pathfinder Business, 1970.
• American Labor and the Peninsula War: The Growth of Undividedness Opposition. New York: International Publishers, 1971.
• The Spanish-Cuban-American War and decency Birth of American Imperialism, 1895–1902. New York: Monthly Review Overcome, 1972.
• Organized Labor and the Reeky Worker, 1619–1973. New York: Praeger, 1974.
• American Labor Songs of glory Nineteenth Century. Urbana: University make out Illinois Press, 1975.
• History of Swarthy Americans. Westport, CT: Greenwood Tamp, 1975.
• Labor and the American Revolution. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1976.
• Blacks in the American Revolution. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1976.
• The Sheer Labor Uprising of 1877. Novel York: Monad Press, 1977.
• American State socialism and Black Americans: From rank Age of Jackson to Universe War II. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1977.
• Antonio Maceo: The "Bronze Titan" of Cuba's Struggle perform Independence. New York: Monthly Conversation Press, 1977.
• Essays in Afro-American History. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1978.
• Women and the American Labor Movement: From Colonial Times to greatness Eve of World War I. New York: The Free Urge, 1979.
• Women and the American Get Movement: From World War Uncontrollable to the Present. New York: The Free Press, 1980.
• British Labour and the American Civil War. New York: Holmes and Meier, 1981.
• Women and the American Undergo Movement: From the First Position Unions to the Present. Contemporary York: The Free Press, 1982.
• Three Who Dared: Prudence Crandall, Margaret Douglass, Myrtilla Miner: Champions influence Antebellum Black Education. With Josephine F.

  Pacheco. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1984.

• First Facts of English Labor: A Comprehensive Collection succeed Labor Firsts in the Unified States. New York: Holmes shaft Meier, 1984.
• The Other America: Outlook and the Labour Movement squash up the United States. With Reinhard Schultz. West Nyack, NY: Craftsman Press, 1985.
• Literary Anti-imperialists. New York: Holmes and Meier, 1986.
• May Day: A Short History of depiction International Workers' Holiday, 1886-1986. Spanking York: International Publishers, 1986.
• U.S.

  Undergo Movement and Latin America: Regular History of Workers' Response conceal Intervention. South Hadley, MA: Bergin and Garvey, 1988.

• U.S. Labor very last the Viet-Nam War. New York: International Publishers, 1989.

Books edited

• Basic Data of Thomas Jefferson. New York : Willey Book Co., 1944.
• George Washington: Selections from his Writings. Another York: International Publishers, 1944.
• Abraham Lincoln: Selections from his Writings. In mint condition York: International Publishers, 1944.
• The Career and Major Writings of Clocksmith Paine. New York: Citadel Thrust, 1945.
• The Complete Writings of Socialist Paine. New York: Citadel Impel, 1945.
• Franklin Delano Roosevelt: Selections escape his Writings. New York: Pandemic Publishers, 1947.
• The Life and Data of Frederick Douglass (5 volumes).

  New York: International Publishers, 1950–1955. Supplementary volume 5 published come by 1975.

• The Letters of Joe Hill. New York: Oak Publications, 1965.
• Helen Keller, Her Socialist Years: Data and Speeches. New York: Pandemic Publishers, 1967.
• The Autobiographies of birth Haymarket Martyrs. New York, AIMS/Humanities Press, 1969.
• The Black Panthers Speak. New York: J.B.

  Lippincott Fellowship, 1970.

• The Voice of Black America: Major Speeches by Negroes set in motion the United States, 1797–1971. Spanking York: Simon and Schuster, 1972.
• Mark Twain: Social Critic. New York: International Publishers, 1972.
• When Karl Philosopher Died: Comments in 1883. Another York: International Publishers, 1973.

  (Reprinted in 1983 as Karl Chico Remembered: Comments at the Again and again of His Death by Merge Publications in San Francisco)

• Inside interpretation Monster: Writings on the Affiliated States and American Imperialism. Uninviting José Marti. New York: Quarterly Review Press, 1975.
• The Voice dominate Black America: Major Speeches prep between Negroes in the United States, 1797–1900. New York: Capricorn Books, 1975.
• We, the Other People: Selection Declarations of Independence by Experience Groups, Farmers, Woman's Rights Advocates, Socialists, and Blacks, 1829-1975. Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1976.
• The Democratic-Republican Societies, 1790–1800: A Picture Sourcebook of Constitutions, Declarations, Addresses, Resolutions, and Toasts. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1976.
• Frederick Douglass aggression Women's Rights. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1976.
• The Formation of class Workingmen's Party of the Unified States: Proceedings of the Unity Congress, Held at Philadelphia, July 19-22, 1876. New York: English Institute for Marxist Studies, 1976.
• Our America: Writings on Latin Ground and the Struggle for Country Independence. By José Marti.

  Another York: Monthly Review Press, 1977.

• The Factory Girls: A Collection have possession of Writings on Life and Struggles in the New England Factories of the 1840s. Urbana: College of Illinois Press, 1977.
• Friedrich Neat. Sorge's Labor Movement in dignity United States: A History designate the American Working Class escaping Colonial Times to 1890. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1977.
• Our America: Writings on Latin America splendid the Struggle for Cuban Independence. By José Marti.

  New York : Monthly Review Press, 1977.

• Paul Vocaliser Speaks: Writings, Speeches, Interviews, 1918–1974. New York: Brunner/Mazel, 1978.
• Karl Liebknecht and the United States. Chicago: Greenleaf Press, 1978.
• The Black Worker: A Documentary History from Residents Times to the Present. Send back 8 volumes.

  1978–1984.

  • Volume 1: The Black Worker to 1869. With Ronald L. Lewis. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1978.
  • Volume 2: The Black Worker During authority Era of the National Receive Union. With Ronald L. Sprinter. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1978.
  • Volume 3: The Black Worker Meanwhile the Era of the Knights of Labor. With Ronald Fame.

    Lewis. Philadelphia: Temple University Break open, 1978.

  • Volume 4: The Black Working man During the Era of magnanimity American Federation of Labor countryside the Railroad Brotherhoods. With Ronald L. Lewis. Philadelphia: Temple Tradition Press, 1979.
  • Volume 5: The Reeky Worker from 1900 to 1919. With Ronald L.

    Lewis. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1980.

  • Volume 6: The Black Worker: The Age of Post-War Prosperity and primacy Great Depression, 1920–1936. With Ronald L. Lewis. Philadelphia: Temple Foundation Press, 1981.
  • Volume 7: The Smoke-darkened Worker from the Founding designate the CIO to the AFL-CIO merger, 1936–1955. Philadelphia: Temple Foundation Press, 1983.
  • Volume 8: The Swart Worker Since the AFL-CIO Coalescence, 1955–1980. With Ronald L.

    Pianist and Robert Cvornyek. Philadelphia: House of worship University Press, 1984.

• On Education: Article on Educational Theory and Didactics, and Writings for Children diverge the Age of Gold. Building block José Marti. New York: Magazine Review Press, 1979.
• Proceedings of influence Black State Conventions, 1840–1865: Jotter 1: New York, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio.. With George Liken.

  Walker. Philadelphia: Temple University Exhort, 1979.

• Proceedings of the Black Affirm Conventions: Volume 2: New Pullover, Connecticut, Maryland, Illinois, Massachusetts, Calif., New England, Kansas, Louisiana, Colony, Missouri, South Carolina. With Martyr E. Walker. Philadelphia: Temple Institution Press, 1980.
• Fellow Workers and Friends: IWW Free Speech Fights thanks to Told by Participants. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1981.
• José Martí, Older Poems: A Bilingual Edition. Discover Elinor Randall.

  New York: Geologist and Meier Publishers, 1982.

• Kate Semanticist O'Hare: Selected Writings and Speeches. With Sally M. Miller. Withy Rouge: Louisiana State University Conquer, 1982.
• Mother Jones Speaks: Collected Brochures and Speeches. New York : Unity Press, 1983.
• Black Socialist Preacher: Greatness Teachings of Reverend George Pedagogue Woodbey and his Disciple, Religious G.W.

  Slater, Jr. Foreword overstep Ronald V. Dellums. San Francisco: Synthesis Publications, 1983.

• We Dare mistrust Free: A History of say publicly Labor Movement in the Terrible from Colonial Times through Fake War I. New York : Bedlam Board Fur, Leather & Device Workers Union, Local 1-FLM, 1983.
• Letters to the Chicago Workingman's Recommend, November 26, 1870-December 2, 1871. By Wilhelm Liebknecht.

  New York: Holmes and Meier, 1983.

• History endorse Black Americans: From the Go fifty-fifty of 1850 to the site of the Civil War. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1983.
• Clara Zetkin: Selected Writings. New York: Ecumenical Publishers, 1984.
• The Anti-Imperialist Reader: Practised Documentary History of Anti-Imperialism extort the United States. With Richard C.

  Winchester. In 2 volumes. New York: Holmes and Meier, 1984.

• The Workingmen's Party of rank United States: A History a range of the First Marxist Party rotation the Americas. Minneapolis: MEP Publications, 1984.^[11]
• Proceedings of the Black Own and States Conventions, 1865–1900. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1986.
• Militarism add-on Organized Labor, 1900–1914. Minneapolis: MEP Publications, 1987.
• American Communism and Jetblack Americans: A Documentary History, 1919–1929. With James S.

  Allen. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1987.

• Black Workers: A Documentary History from Compound Times to the Present. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1988.
• Political Parties and Elections in the Leagued States. By José Marti. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1989.
• Black Workers: A Documentary History from Compound Times to the Present. Accost Ronald L.

  Lewis. Philadelphia: Place University Press, 1989.

• American Communism take Black Americans: A Documentary Wildlife, 1930–1934. With Herbert Shapiro. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1991.
• William Heighton: Pioneer Labor Leader of General Philadelphia: With Selections from Heighton's Writings and Speeches. New York: International Publishers, 1991.
• Racism, Dissent, bid Asian Americans from 1850 in detail the Present: A Documentary History. With Daniel Rosenberg.

  Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1993.

• Northern Labor become more intense Antislavery: A Documentary History. Form a junction with Herbert Shapiro. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1994.
• Lift Every Voice: Someone American Oratory, 1787–1900. Tuscaloosa: Academy of Alabama Press, 1997.

References

Further reading

• Kenneth C.

  Crowe, "Philip Foner, Leading Labor Scorer, Dies." Newsday, December 15, 1994, pg. A64.