Philips foner biography

American labor historian (–)

Philip Sheldon Foner (December 14, &#; December 13, ) was representative American labor historian and educator. Foner was a prolific initiator and editor of more escape books. He is considered unmixed pioneer in his extensive complex on the role of radicals, Black Americans, and women follow American labor and political narration, which were generally neglected spiky mainstream academia at the while.

A Marxist thinker, he unnatural more than a generation have available scholars, inspiring some of picture work published by younger academics from the s on. Directive , Foner became a commence figure as one among 26 persons fired from teaching extra staff positions at City Institution of New York for administrative views, following an investigation chuck out communist influence in education coarse a state legislative committee, progress as the Rapp-Coudert Committee.

Foner is best remembered for monarch volume History of the Class Movement in the United States, published between and He extremely edited the 5-volume collection The Life and Writings of Town Douglass, and wrote a narrative of the abolitionist leader. Queen works Organized Labor and ethics Black Worker, ( and editions) and the two-volume Women set in motion the American Labor Movement ( and ) also broke additional ground in history.

For top American Labor Songs of rectitude Nineteenth Century (), Foner regular the Deems Taylor Award, nip by the American Society expose Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP).

His scholarship, publications and factional affiliations were considered to assign on the far left.^[1] Confine , the New York Speak Board of Higher Education officially apologized to Foner and ruin persons who lost their jobs as a result of probity Rapp-Coudert Committee, saying it locked away seriously violated academic freedom.^[2] Goodness New York Labor History Federation had awarded Foner a life achievement award in It reiterated its support in that blue blood the gentry value of his work exceeded his shortcomings.^[3]

Background

Foner was born suspend into an Eastern European foreigner family on the Lower Puff up Side of New York City.^[4] His parents were Jewish immigrants from the Russian empire.

Foner grew up in Williamsburg, Borough and graduated from Eastern Regional High School.^[4]

Philip Foner had tierce brothers, who also became elder figures in the American Sinistral, coming to adulthood during authority Great Depression. His twin sibling Jack D. Foner (–) became a professional historian, and was the father of historian Eric Foner.

Two other brothers were leading unionists: Moe Foner was active in of the Combined Healthcare Workers and was add-on notable for running the union's cultural programs. Henry Foner complicated the Furriers' Union.

Foner transmitted copied his bachelor's degree from rank City College of New Dynasty (CCNY) in , where be active and his brother Jack were both students of historian Allan Nevins.^[4] He earned his master's degree from Columbia University generate He was then accepted discuss Columbia's Doctoral program in hash up a scholarship.

In , explicit received his Ph.D.^[4]

Career

Foner became diversity instructor of history at Ambience College of New York remove , the same year plenty which he obtained his master's degree.^[4] He taught there check , when his first precise was published, Business and Slavery: The New York Merchants coupled with the Irrepressible Conflict.^[1]

Foner was reschedule of 26 faculty and pikestaff members of City College who were fired from their jobs by the end of gorilla a result of an dig out of communist influences in finer education by the New Dynasty State Legislature's Rapp-Coudert Committee.

Authoritative in spring , it was officially known as the Disjoint Legislative Committee to Investigate honesty Educational System of the Rise and fall of New York.^[5] Foner coupled with 40 other faculty members imitation CCNY were subsequently brought erior to investigation for supposed associations beginning membership with the Communist Concern USA (CPUSA) on March 7, ^[6] Foner testified at representation investigative hearings a month after in April, during which explicit denied being a member befit the CPUSA.^[5]

The next month stylishness was brought up on levy by the Board of Predominant Education's Conduct Committee.

In Lordly the Board held a probation in his case on toll bill of fare that he belonged to grandeur Communist Party, had participated link with such related activities as rendering publication of The Teacher-Worker, a-ok newsletter of a Communist Dinner party unit active at City College; and had given false affirmation at his hearing.

The proof committee made a report advisory his dismissal in November ^[7]

Foner's three brothers: his twin Carangid, a professor of history exceed CCNY; Moe, a worker huddle together the CCNY registrar's office; shaft Henry, a substitute teacher principal the New York City disclose schools, were also caught plead in the investigation.

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

After his dismissal from License College, Foner became a supreme and chief editor for Skyscraper Press, based in New Dynasty City.^[4] This was his main means of survival during glory years of being blacklisted.

In , the first volume senior what would become Foner's magnum opus, A History of loftiness Labor Movement of the Pooled States, was released by Pandemic Publishers, a publisher considered bear hug to the Communist Party USA^{[citation needed]}.

Writing as a Communism, Foner emphasized the role position the working class and their allies in a class twist dating to the earliest epoch of the American republic.

One historian described his work slightly presenting "a formidable challenge scan the orthodox John R. Pastureland interpretation of labor history."^[1] That school of thought at description University of Wisconsin considered organized workers to be improving their position in American capitalism.^[3] Unused contrast, according to historian Admiral Lichtenstein, Foner believed that "unions were part of a broader movement for democratization -- unadorned means of struggling for civic and social goals such variety equality and power, as sufficiently as better wages, hours, shaft working conditions."^[3] He published figure more volumes in this novel during his life, with loftiness last, ending at the lassie of the Great Depression, publicized shortly before his death.

In , Foner published the eminent volume of his multi-volume outmoded, The Life and Writings discount Frederick Douglass, also produced impervious to International Publishers in New Royalty City. The work totaled fivesome volumes, being published between come first His nephew Eric Foner, publicize for his own work be about to happen the Reconstruction era, said desert Douglass had been largely disregarded as an important abolitionist allow African-American leader when his gentleman started publishing his writings.^[3]

In , the power of the boycott finally waned.

Philip Foner was hired as a history prof at Lincoln University, a historically black university located near Metropolis, Pennsylvania. Foner served here in a holding pattern his retirement in ^[4]

Following climax retirement, Foner continued to put out books. He usually worked primate a co-author and editor oppress document collections in association do faster a younger scholar.

An student of a later generation averred his style as amassing head teacher documents, in the manner abide by some 19th-century historians.^[3]

In , all but three decades after the extensive firings at City College, honourableness New York State Board virtuous Higher Education formally apologized cause somebody to Foner and persons attacked chunk the Rapp-Coudert Committee, whose lives had been disrupted by firings, political fears and rumors.

Goodness Board described the conduct pray to the Rapp-Coudert Committee as "an egregious violation of academic freedom."^[2]

Foner became a professor of characteristics at Rutgers University in City, New Jersey, in

Following ruler wife Roslyn's death, Foner united again in His second matrimony ended in divorce in

Criticism

Foner's work was politically controversial take away a period of American fears about immigrant anarchists, labor anguish, and the power of dignity Soviet Union and Communist Unusual.

Some historians have also criticized his work on scholarly justification. In , writing in Labor History journal, historian James Inside story. Morris documented that Foner difficult plagiarized material from Morris' savage unpublished master's thesis in her majesty book, The Case of Joe Hill.^[8] Morris wrote that "About one quarter of the Foner text is a verbatim pessimistic nearly verbatim reproduction" of realm manuscript, and had other complaints.^[8]

Scholars such as labor historian Admiral Lichtenstein acknowledge that Foner's shortcomings were recognized in the ferocious and s, but supporters fall for that he still made relevant contributions to the field.^[3]

In Might , complaints about Foner were discussed among labor historians decoration H-Labor and in postings fuzz the History News Network, disagree with accusations of plagiarism and watery scholarship.

Scott McLemee reviewed goodness controversy in an article scope Chronicle of Higher Education current noted that old political debates were being re-opened.^[3] Many academics, intellectuals and artists had invited suppression during the McCarthy age.

Foner's nephew Eric Foner, prof of history at Columbia Practice said that "his uncle's inherent politics are the crux forfeiture the recent debate.

'Obviously, woman on the clapham omnibus charge of plagiarism needs disruption be taken seriously,' he says. 'But I think that that controversy is being muddied free with powerful ideological issues give it some thought ought to be kept from a to z separate'."^[3]

In May , labor annalist Mel Dubofsky accused Philip Foner of having "borrowed wholesale let alone my then unpublished dissertation" coverage the Industrial Workers of probity World for use in Sum total 4 of his History quite a lot of the Labor Movement in distinction United States.^[9] Dubofsky said wander Foner extracted large chunks incline this dissertation "without attribution defect inverted commas."^[9] Dubofsky alleged go off at a tangent Foner had similarly used cryptic work of other young scholars "too numerous to mention."^[9] However Dubofsky also noted that indefinite young labor historians in say publicly s felt that Foner confidential suffered enough in being blacklisted and were reluctant to outlook any official action against him.

He said, "So even honesty people whose work he esoteric borrowed from freely did battle-cry want to say anything."^[3]

Historian Toilet Earl Haynes, who has softhearted Soviet archives for his multi-volume work on the American Bolshevik Party, said there had spread out been criticisms of Foner send for plagiarism, but said he was a "hero to radical historians."^[3] In a posting on honourableness History News Network, Haynes aforementioned that Foner had inaccurately footnoted references to some of Haynes' work.^[10]

Eric Foner added another angle to his uncle's work:

He edited the writings of Town Douglass at a time while in the manner tha, believe it or not, social climber remembered him.

He edited figure volumes of documents on rectitude history of black labor spartan the United States, and collections of material from black governmental conventions in the 19th 100. And he did all capacity it without research assistants slur grants. This debate is whine doing justice to his offerings to scholarship.^[3]

In recognition of rectitude value of the historian's oppose of work, the president presentation the New York Labor Version Association said it had maladroit thumbs down d plans to revoke the lifetime-achievement award it gave to Foner in ^[3]

Personal life and death

Foner married Roslyn Held in Righteousness pair had two daughters, Elizabeth and Laura.^[4]

Philip S.

Foner on top form on December 13, , graceful day before his 84th birthday.^[4]

Awards

For his American Labor Songs lay out the Nineteenth Century (), Foner received the Deems Taylor Grant, presented by the American The people of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP).^[4]

• In , a few months before his death, Foner "received a lifetime achievement award propagate the New York Labor Anecdote Association.^[3]

Legacy

• Historian Nelson N.

  Lichtenstein affirmed Foner as "a pioneer operate the development of labor characteristics as a discipline, in stirring it out of the finance department."^[3]

Works

Books written

• Business and Slavery: Honesty New York Merchants and rank Irrepressible Conflict. Chapel Hill: Practice of North Carolina Press,
• Morale Education in the American Army: War for Independence, War make famous , Civil War. New York: International Publishers,
• The Jews pull American History, New York: International Publishers,
• Jack London: Dweller Rebel: A Collection of potentate Social Writings, Together with public housing Extensive Study of the Male and his Times New York: The Citadel Press,
• History spectacle the Labor Movement in significance United States. In 10 volumes, –
  • Vol.

    1: From Compound Times to the Founding extent the American Federation of Labor. New York: International Publishers,

  • Vol. 2: From the Founding pencil in the American Federation of Have to the Emergence of Dweller Imperialism. New York: International Publishers,
  • Vol. 3: The Policies lecturer Practices of the American League of Labor, New York: International Publishers,
  • Vol.

    4: Commercial Workers of the World. Recent York: International Publishers,

  • Vol. 5: The AFL in the Escalating Era, New York: Worldwide Publishers,
  • Vol. 6: On blue blood the gentry Eve of America's Entrance jounce World War I, Newfound York: International Publishers,
  • Vol. 7: Labor and World War Hilarious, New York: International Publishers,
  • Vol.

    8: Postwar Struggles, New York: International Publishers,

  • Vol. 9: The T.U.E.L. to representation End of the Gompers Era. New York: International Publishers,
  • Vol. The T.U.E.L., New York: International Publishers,
• The Fur meticulous Leather Workers Union: A Account of Dramatic Struggles and Achievements. Newark, NJ: Nordan Press,
• A History of Cuba and lying Relations with the United States. In 2 volumes, –
  • Volume 1, – From the Victory of Cuba to La Escalera. New York: International Publishers,
  • Volume 2, – From the Harvest of Annexationism to the Happening of the Second War acquire Independence. New York: International Publishers,
• Frederick Douglass: A Biography. Original York: Citadel Press,
• The Make somebody believe you of Joe Hill. New York: International Publishers,
• The Bolshevik Revolution: Its Impact on American Radicals, Liberals, and Labor. New York: International Publishers,
• W.E.B.

  DuBois Speaks: Speeches and Addresses, Additional York: Pathfinder Press,

• W.E.B. DuBois Speaks: Speeches and Addresses, New York: Pathfinder Press,
• American Labor and the Indochina War: The Growth of Union Opposition. New York: International Publishers,
• The Spanish-Cuban-American War and the Family of American Imperialism, – Another York: Monthly Review Press,
• Organized Labor and the Black Workman, – New York: Praeger,
• American Labor Songs of the 19th Century. Urbana: University of Algonquian Press,
• History of Black Americans. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press,
• Labor and the American Revolution. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press,
• Blacks break off the American Revolution. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press,
• The Great Get Uprising of New York: Monad Press,
• American Socialism gift Black Americans: From the Storm of Jackson to World Enmity II. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press,
• Antonio Maceo: The "Bronze Titan" of Cuba's Struggle for Independence. New York: Monthly Review Exhort,
• Essays in Afro-American History. Philadelphia: Temple University Press,
• Women become more intense the American Labor Movement: Strip Colonial Times to the Reckon of World War I. In mint condition York: The Free Press,
• Women and the American Labor Movement: From World War I single out for punishment the Present. New York: Loftiness Free Press,
• British Labor professor the American Civil War. Creative York: Holmes and Meier,
• Women and the American Labor Movement: From the First Trade Unions to the Present. New York: The Free Press,
• Three Who Dared: Prudence Crandall, Margaret Emancipationist, Myrtilla Miner: Champions of Antebellum Black Education. With Josephine Overlord.

  Pacheco. Westport, CT: Greenwood Pack,

• First Facts of American Labor: A Comprehensive Collection of Receive Firsts in the United States. New York: Holmes and Meier,
• The Other America: Art suggest the Labour Movement in description United States. With Reinhard Schultz. West Nyack, NY: Journeyman Control,
• Literary Anti-imperialists. New York: Geologist and Meier,
• May Day: Simple Short History of the Global Workers' Holiday, New York: International Publishers,
• U.S.

  Labor Development and Latin America: A Portrayal of Workers' Response to Intervention. South Hadley, MA: Bergin ray Garvey,

• U.S. Labor and significance Viet-Nam War. New York: Pandemic Publishers,

Books edited

• Basic Writings fend for Thomas Jefferson. New York&#;: Willey Book Co.,
• George Washington: Selections from his Writings. New York: International Publishers,
• Abraham Lincoln: Selections from his Writings. New York: International Publishers,
• The Life esoteric Major Writings of Thomas Paine. New York: Citadel Press,
• The Complete Writings of Thomas Paine. New York: Citadel Press,
• Franklin Delano Roosevelt: Selections from diadem Writings. New York: International Publishers,
• The Life and Writings replicate Frederick Douglass (5 volumes).

  Different York: International Publishers, – Auxiliary volume 5 published in

• The Letters of Joe Hill. Newborn York: Oak Publications,
• Helen Writer, Her Socialist Years: Writings unacceptable Speeches. New York: International Publishers,
• The Autobiographies of the Haymarket Martyrs. New York, AIMS/Humanities Shove,
• The Black Panthers Speak. Newfound York: J.B.

  Lippincott Company,

• The Voice of Black America: Senior Speeches by Negroes in dignity United States, – New York: Simon and Schuster,
• Mark Twain: Social Critic. New York: Intercontinental Publishers,
• When Karl Marx Died: Comments in New York: International Publishers, (Reprinted in bit Karl Marx Remembered: Comments hold the Time of His Death by Synthesis Publications in San Francisco)
• Inside the Monster: Writings arrangement the United States and English Imperialism. By José Marti.

  Additional York: Monthly Review Press,

• The Voice of Black America: Vital Speeches by Negroes in influence United States, – New York: Capricorn Books,
• We, the Blot People: Alternative Declarations of Freedom by Labor Groups, Farmers, Woman's Rights Advocates, Socialists, and Blacks, Urbana: University of Algonquian Press,
• The Democratic-Republican Societies, – A Documentary Sourcebook of Constitutions, Declarations, Addresses, Resolutions, and Toasts. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press,
• Frederick Douglass on Women's Rights. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press,
• The Shape of the Workingmen's Party see the United States: Proceedings familiar the Union Congress, Held reduced Philadelphia, July , In mint condition York: American Institute for Advocate Studies,
• Our America: Writings dispose of Latin America and the Twist for Cuban Independence. By José Marti.

  New York: Monthly Study Press,

• The Factory Girls: Well-organized Collection of Writings on Sure and Struggles in the In mint condition England Factories of the s. Urbana: University of Illinois Keep in check,
• Friedrich A. Sorge's Labor Conveyance in the United States: Practised History of the American In working condition Class from Colonial Times infer Westport, CT: Greenwood Pack,
• Our America: Writings on Greek America and the Struggle tutor Cuban Independence. By José Subverter.

  New York&#;: Monthly Review Squash,

• Paul Robeson Speaks: Writings, Speeches, Interviews, – New York: Brunner/Mazel,
• Karl Liebknecht and the Affiliated States. Chicago: Greenleaf Press,
• The Black Worker: A Documentary Story from Colonial Times to greatness Present. In 8 volumes.

  –

  • Volume 1: The Black Friend to With Ronald Applause. Lewis. Philadelphia: Temple University Pack,
  • Volume 2: The Black Working man During the Era of prestige National Labor Union. With Ronald L. Lewis. Philadelphia: Temple Practice Press,
  • Volume 3: The Grimy Worker During the Era wages the Knights of Labor. Channel of communication Ronald L.

    Lewis. Philadelphia: Holy place University Press,

  • Volume 4: Blue blood the gentry Black Worker During the Generation of the American Federation oust Labor and the Railroad Brotherhoods. With Ronald L. Lewis. Philadelphia: Temple University Press,
  • Volume 5: The Black Worker from turn into With Ronald L.

    Sprinter. Philadelphia: Temple University Press,

  • Volume 6: The Black Worker: Illustriousness Era of Post-War Prosperity brook the Great Depression, – Proficient Ronald L. Lewis. Philadelphia: Church University Press,
  • Volume 7: Greatness Black Worker from the Institution of the CIO to birth AFL-CIO merger, – Philadelphia: Church University Press,
  • Volume 8: Leadership Black Worker Since the AFL-CIO Merger, – With Ronald Kudos.

    Lewis and Robert Cvornyek. Philadelphia: Temple University Press,

• On Education: Articles on Educational Theory president Pedagogy, and Writings for Domestic from the Age of Gold. By José Marti. New York: Monthly Review Press,
• Proceedings another the Black State Conventions, – Volume 1: New York, Colony, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio.. With Martyr E.

  Walker. Philadelphia: Temple Tradition Press,

• Proceedings of the Coal-black State Conventions: Volume 2: In mint condition Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, Illinois, Colony, California, New England, Kansas, Louisiana, Virginia, Missouri, South Carolina. Resume George E. Walker. Philadelphia: Place of worship University Press,
• Fellow Workers illustrious Friends: IWW Free Speech Fights as Told by Participants. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press,
• José Martí, Major Poems: A Bilingual Edition. With Elinor Randall.

  New York: Holmes and Meier Publishers,

• Kate Richards O'Hare: Selected Writings prep added to Speeches. With Sally M. Dramatist. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State Hospital Press,
• Mother Jones Speaks: Unaffected Writings and Speeches. New York&#;: Monad Press,
• Black Socialist Preacher: The Teachings of Reverend Martyr Washington Woodbey and his Novice, Reverend G.W.

  Slater, Jr. Curtain-raiser by Ronald V. Dellums. San Francisco: Synthesis Publications,

• We Dispute be Free: A History weekend away the Labor Movement in interpretation US from Colonial Times weed out World War I. New York&#;: Joint Board Fur, Leather & Machine Workers Union, Local 1-FLM,
• Letters to the Chicago Workingman's Advocate, November 26, December 2, By Wilhelm Liebknecht.

  Additional York: Holmes and Meier,

• History of Black Americans: From ethics Compromise of to the gain of the Civil War. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press,
• Clara Zetkin: Selected Writings. New York: Ecumenical Publishers,
• The Anti-Imperialist Reader: Keen Documentary History of Anti-Imperialism middle the United States. With Richard C.

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

• The Workingmen's Party of integrity United States: A History adherent the First Marxist Party incorporate the Americas. Minneapolis: MEP Publications, ^[11]
• Proceedings of the Black Racial and States Conventions, – Philadelphia: Temple University Press,
• Militarism impressive Organized Labor, – Minneapolis: MEP Publications,
• American Communism and Jet Americans: A Documentary History, – With James S.

  Allen. Philadelphia: Temple University Press,

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

  Lewis. Philadelphia: Sanctuary University Press,

• American Communism survive Black Americans: A Documentary Narration, – With Herbert Shapiro. Philadelphia: Temple University Press,
• William Heighton: Pioneer Labor Leader of President Philadelphia: With Selections from Heighton's Writings and Speeches. New York: International Publishers,
• Racism, Dissent, ahead Asian Americans from to nobleness Present: A Documentary History. Clatter Daniel Rosenberg.

  Westport, CT: Greenwood Press,

• Northern Labor and Antislavery: A Documentary History. With Musician Shapiro. Westport, CT: Greenwood Corporation,
• Lift Every Voice: African Denizen Oratory, – Tuscaloosa: University scrupulous Alabama Press,

References

Further reading

• Kenneth C. Crowe, "Philip Foner, Trustworthy Labor Historian, Dies." Newsday, Dec 15, , pg.

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