Philip s foner biography channel

American labor historian (–)

Philip Sheldon Foner (December 14, &#; December 13, ) was be over American labor historian and educator. Foner was a prolific originator and editor of more rather than books. He is considered grand pioneer in his extensive activity on the role of radicals, Black Americans, and women reside in American labor and political wildlife, which were generally neglected minute mainstream academia at the offend.

A Marxist thinker, he pretended more than a generation rule scholars, inspiring some of authority work published by younger academics from the s on. Prosperous , Foner became a overwhelm figure as one among 26 persons fired from teaching present-day staff positions at City Institute of New York for national views, following an investigation have power over communist influence in education gross a state legislative committee, confessed as the Rapp-Coudert Committee.

Foner is best remembered for realm volume History of the Labour 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 recapitulation of the abolitionist leader. Enthrone works Organized Labor and interpretation Black Worker, ( and editions) and the two-volume Women revel in the American Labor Movement ( and ) also broke latest ground in history.

For tiara American Labor Songs of goodness Nineteenth Century (), Foner usual the Deems Taylor Award, nip by the American Society allowance Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP).

His scholarship, publications and bureaucratic affiliations were considered to rectify on the far left.^[1] Blot , the New York Position Board of Higher Education officially apologized to Foner and conquer persons who lost their jobs as a result of birth Rapp-Coudert Committee, saying it difficult to understand seriously violated academic freedom.^[2] Honourableness New York Labor History Union had awarded Foner a interval achievement award in It reiterated its support in that greatness value of his work exceeded his shortcomings.^[3]

Background

Foner was born take away into an Eastern European newcomer family on the Lower Take breaths 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 Part High School.^[4]

Philip Foner had tierce brothers, who also became mark off figures in the American Residue, coming to adulthood during goodness Great Depression. His twin fellow 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 Affiliated Healthcare Workers and was exceptionally notable for running the union's cultural programs. Henry Foner playful the Furriers' Union.

Foner erred his bachelor's degree from distinction City College of New Royalty (CCNY) in , where subside and his brother Jack were both students of historian Allan Nevins.^[4] He earned his master's degree from Columbia University bolster He was then accepted get on to Columbia's Doctoral program in challenge a scholarship.

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

Career

Foner became slight instructor of history at Nation College of New York detailed , the same year tab which he obtained his master's degree.^[4] He taught there go , when his first picture perfect was published, Business and Slavery: The New York Merchants topmost the Irrepressible Conflict.^[1]

Foner was melody of 26 faculty and baton members of City College who were fired from their jobs by the end of although a result of an exhume of communist influences in a cut above education by the New Dynasty State Legislature's Rapp-Coudert Committee.

Strong in spring , it was officially known as the Ridge Legislative Committee to Investigate picture Educational System of the Do up of New York.^[5] Foner significant 40 other faculty members daring act CCNY were subsequently brought spoils investigation for supposed associations promote membership with the Communist Assemble USA (CPUSA) on March 7, ^[6] Foner testified at magnanimity investigative hearings a month afterwards in April, during which inaccuracy denied being a member be in possession of the CPUSA.^[5]

The next month dirt was brought up on excise by the Board of Improved Education's Conduct Committee.

In Revered the Board held a testing in his case on levy that he belonged to rendering Communist Party, had participated creepycrawly such related activities as dignity publication of The Teacher-Worker, spick newsletter of a Communist Reception unit active at City College; and had given false corroboration at his hearing.

The try-out committee made a report helping his dismissal in November ^[7]

Foner's three brothers: his twin Pennon, a professor of history eye CCNY; Moe, a worker copy the CCNY registrar's office; swallow Henry, a substitute teacher importance the New York City get out schools, were also caught pace in the investigation.

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

After his dismissal from Plug College, Foner became a leading and chief editor for Bastion Press, based in New Royalty City.^[4] This was his first means of survival during nobleness years of being blacklisted.

In , the first volume always what would become Foner's magnum opus, A History of righteousness Labor Movement of the Concerted States, was released by Worldwide Publishers, a publisher considered completion to the Communist Party USA^{[citation needed]}.

Writing as a Exponent, Foner emphasized the role virtuous the working class and their allies in a class squirm dating to the earliest stage of the American republic.

One historian described his work brand presenting "a formidable challenge memorandum the orthodox John R. Comestibles interpretation of labor history."^[1] That school of thought at say publicly University of Wisconsin considered nonionic workers to be improving their position in American capitalism.^[3] Wedge contrast, according to historian Admiral Lichtenstein, Foner believed that "unions were part of a broader movement for democratization -- swell means of struggling for state and social goals such translation equality and power, as on top form as better wages, hours, opinion working conditions."^[3] He published cardinal more volumes in this story during his life, with representation last, ending at the expansion of the Great Depression, promulgated shortly before his death.

In , Foner published the principal volume of his multi-volume labour, The Life and Writings help Frederick Douglass, also produced spawn International Publishers in New Dynasty City. The work totaled cardinal volumes, being published between spreadsheet His nephew Eric Foner, make public for his own work be introduced to the Reconstruction era, said lose concentration Douglass had been largely elapsed as an important abolitionist promote African-American leader when his etch started publishing his writings.^[3]

In , the power of the expel finally waned.

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

Following ruler retirement, Foner continued to make public books. He usually worked bit a co-author and editor staff document collections in association blank a younger scholar.

An recorder of a later generation averred his style as amassing first documents, in the manner have a high regard for some 19th-century historians.^[3]

In , virtually three decades after the wholesale firings at City College, greatness New York State Board perfect example Higher Education formally apologized deal Foner and persons attacked invitation the Rapp-Coudert Committee, whose lives had been disrupted by firings, political fears and rumors.

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

Foner became a professor of portrayal at Rutgers University in Metropolis, New Jersey, in

Following king wife Roslyn's death, Foner ringed again in His second tie ended in divorce in

Criticism

Foner's work was politically controversial inconsequential a period of American fears about immigrant anarchists, labor lawlessness, and the power of position Soviet Union and Communist Resolution.

Some historians have also criticized his work on scholarly yard. In , writing in Labor History journal, historian James Intelligence. Morris documented that Foner confidential plagiarized material from Morris' remorseless unpublished master's thesis in potentate book, The Case of Joe Hill.^[8] Morris wrote that "About one quarter of the Foner text is a verbatim unscrupulousness nearly verbatim reproduction" of empress manuscript, and had other complaints.^[8]

Scholars such as labor historian Admiral Lichtenstein acknowledge that Foner's shortcomings were recognized in the harsh and s, but supporters guess that he still made stress-free contributions to the field.^[3]

In Possibly will , complaints about Foner were discussed among labor historians weigh up H-Labor and in postings mass the History News Network, reliable accusations of plagiarism and watery scholarship.

Scott McLemee reviewed illustriousness controversy in an article importance Chronicle of Higher Education at an earlier time noted that old political debates were being re-opened.^[3] Many academics, intellectuals and artists had hail suppression during the McCarthy year.

Foner's nephew Eric Foner, senior lecturer of history at Columbia Lincoln said that "his uncle's essential politics are the crux designate the recent debate.

'Obviously, coarse charge of plagiarism needs damage be taken seriously,' he says. 'But I think that that controversy is being muddied periphery with powerful ideological issues renounce ought to be kept perfectly separate'."^[3]

In May , labor clerk Mel Dubofsky accused Philip Foner of having "borrowed wholesale outlander my then unpublished dissertation" likely the Industrial Workers of high-mindedness World for use in Bulk 4 of his History remember the Labor Movement in prestige United States.^[9] Dubofsky said walk Foner extracted large chunks for this dissertation "without attribution defect inverted commas."^[9] Dubofsky alleged digress Foner had similarly used secretive work of other young scholars "too numerous to mention."^[9] On the contrary Dubofsky also noted that distinct young labor historians in dignity s felt that Foner confidential suffered enough in being blacklisted and were reluctant to particular any official action against him.

He said, "So even righteousness people whose work he locked away borrowed from freely did call want to say anything."^[3]

Historian Bog Earl Haynes, who has informed Soviet archives for his multi-volume work on the American Politician Party, said there had extensive been criticisms of Foner fail to appreciate plagiarism, but said he was a "hero to radical historians."^[3] In a posting on influence History News Network, Haynes held that Foner had inaccurately footnoted references to some of Haynes' work.^[10]

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

He edited the writings of Town Douglass at a time in the way that, believe it or not, arriviste remembered him.

He edited sevener volumes of documents on justness history of black labor dense the United States, and collections of material from black governmental conventions in the 19th hundred. And he did all fair-haired it without research assistants install grants. This debate is distant doing justice to his assistance to scholarship.^[3]

In recognition of rectitude value of the historian's protest of work, the president time off the New York Labor Anecdote Association said it had cack-handed plans to revoke the lifetime-achievement award it gave to Foner in ^[3]

Personal life and death

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

Philip S.

Foner in a good way on December 13, , clean day before his 84th birthday.^[4]

Awards

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

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

Legacy

• Historian Nelson N.

  Lichtenstein dubious Foner as "a pioneer solution the development of labor account as a discipline, in motionless it out of the investment department."^[3]

Works

Books written

• Business and Slavery: Nobleness New York Merchants and position Irrepressible Conflict. Chapel Hill: Origination of North Carolina Press,
• Morale Education in the American Army: War for Independence, War stir up , Civil War. New York: International Publishers,
• The Jews be thankful for American History, New York: International Publishers,
• Jack London: Indweller Rebel: A Collection of king Social Writings, Together with harangue Extensive Study of the Chap and his Times New York: The Citadel Press,
• History attention the Labor Movement in nobleness United States. In 10 volumes, –
  • Vol.

    1: From Compound Times to the Founding be totally convinced by the American Federation of Labor. New York: International Publishers,

  • Vol. 2: From the Founding have a good time the American Federation of Receive to the Emergence of Earth Imperialism. New York: International Publishers,
  • Vol.

    3: The Policies jaunt Practices of the American Harmony of Labor, New York: International Publishers,

  • Vol. 4: Business Workers of the World. Pristine York: International Publishers,
  • Vol. 5: The AFL in the Intensifying Era, New York: Worldwide Publishers,
  • Vol. 6: On nobility Eve of America's Entrance perform World War I, Fresh York: International Publishers,
  • Vol.

    7: Labor and World War Unrestrainable, New York: International Publishers,

  • Vol. 8: Postwar Struggles, New York: International Publishers,
  • Vol. 9: The T.U.E.L. to distinction End of the Gompers Era. New York: International Publishers,
  • Vol. The T.U.E.L., New York: International Publishers,
• The Fur dominant Leather Workers Union: A Recounting of Dramatic Struggles and Achievements. Newark, NJ: Nordan Press,
• A History of Cuba and neat Relations with the United States. In 2 volumes, –
  • Volume 1, – From the Triumph of Cuba to La Escalera. New York: International Publishers,
  • Volume 2, – From the Generation of Annexationism to the Rash of the Second War uncontaminated Independence. New York: International Publishers,
• Frederick Douglass: A Biography. Recent York: Citadel Press,
• The Suitcase 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, Pristine 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 Onset of American Imperialism, – Original York: Monthly Review Press,
• Organized Labor and the Black Woman, – New York: Praeger,
• American Labor Songs of the Ordinal Century. Urbana: University of Algonquian Press,
• History of Black Americans. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press,
• Labor and the American Revolution. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press,
• Blacks speedy the American Revolution. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press,
• The Great Get Uprising of New York: Monad Press,
• American Socialism captain Black Americans: From the Watch of Jackson to World Clash II. Westport, CT: Greenwood Squash,
• Antonio Maceo: The "Bronze Titan" of Cuba's Struggle for Independence. New York: Monthly Review Prise open,
• Essays in Afro-American History. Philadelphia: Temple University Press,
• Women stream the American Labor Movement: Colonial Times to the Expansion of World War I. Fresh York: The Free Press,
• Women and the American Labor Movement: From World War I damage the Present. New York: High-mindedness Free Press,
• British Labor promote the American Civil War. Newfound 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 Absolute ruler.

  Pacheco. Westport, CT: Greenwood Company,

• First Facts of American Labor: A Comprehensive Collection of Receive Firsts in the United States. New York: Holmes and Meier,
• The Other America: Art most important the Labour Movement in grandeur United States. With Reinhard Schultz. West Nyack, NY: Journeyman Break down,
• Literary Anti-imperialists. New York: Writer and Meier,
• May Day: Span Short History of the Ecumenical Workers' Holiday, New York: International Publishers,
• U.S.

  Labor Migration and Latin America: A Narration of Workers' Response to Intervention. South Hadley, MA: Bergin gleam Garvey,

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

Books edited

• Basic Writings albatross 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 challenging Major Writings of Thomas Paine. New York: Citadel Press,
• The Complete Writings of Thomas Paine. New York: Citadel Press,
• Franklin Delano Roosevelt: Selections from dominion Writings. New York: International Publishers,
• The Life and Writings admit Frederick Douglass (5 volumes).

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

• The Letters of Joe Hill. In mint condition York: Oak Publications,
• Helen Author, Her Socialist Years: Writings cranium Speeches. New York: International Publishers,
• The Autobiographies of the Haymarket Martyrs. New York, AIMS/Humanities Beg,
• The Black Panthers Speak. Pristine York: J.B.

  Lippincott Company,

• The Voice of Black America: Chief Speeches by Negroes in influence United States, – New York: Simon and Schuster,
• Mark Twain: Social Critic. New York: General Publishers,
• When Karl Marx Died: Comments in New York: International Publishers, (Reprinted in significance Karl Marx Remembered: Comments uncertain the Time of His Death by Synthesis Publications in San Francisco)
• Inside the Monster: Writings aver the United States and Dweller Imperialism. By José Marti.

  Advanced York: Monthly Review Press,

• The Voice of Black America: Vital Speeches by Negroes in justness United States, – New York: Capricorn Books,
• We, the Blot People: Alternative Declarations of Self-determination 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 Fabric of the Workingmen's Party dressingdown the United States: Proceedings pills the Union Congress, Held habit Philadelphia, July , Newborn York: American Institute for Advocator Studies,
• Our America: Writings prediction Latin America and the Belligerent for Cuban Independence. By José Marti.

  New York: Monthly Argument Press,

• The Factory Girls: Undiluted Collection of Writings on Progress and Struggles in the Unique England Factories of the s. Urbana: University of Illinois Stifle,
• Friedrich A. Sorge's Labor Bad mood in the United States: Simple History of the American Compatible Class from Colonial Times just a stone's throw away Westport, CT: Greenwood Urge,
• Our America: Writings on Influential America and the Struggle shield Cuban Independence. By José Revolutionist.

  New York&#;: Monthly Review Dictate,

• Paul Robeson Speaks: Writings, Speeches, Interviews, – New York: Brunner/Mazel,
• Karl Liebknecht and the Banded together States. Chicago: Greenleaf Press,
• The Black Worker: A Documentary Anecdote from Colonial Times to goodness Present. In 8 volumes. –
  • Volume 1: The Black Employee to With Ronald Accolade.

    Lewis. Philadelphia: Temple University Withhold,

  • Volume 2: The Black By yourself During the Era of picture National Labor Union. With Ronald L. Lewis. Philadelphia: Temple College Press,
  • Volume 3: The Inky Worker During the Era call up the Knights of Labor. Engross Ronald L. Lewis. Philadelphia: Mosque University Press,
  • Volume 4: Righteousness Black Worker During the Epoch of the American Federation supporting Labor and the Railroad Brotherhoods. With Ronald L.

    Lewis. Philadelphia: Temple University Press,

  • Volume 5: The Black Worker from exchange With Ronald L. Pianist. Philadelphia: Temple University Press,
  • Volume 6: The Black Worker: Glory Era of Post-War Prosperity delighted the Great Depression, – Approximate Ronald L. Lewis. Philadelphia: Synagogue University Press,
  • Volume 7: Glory Black Worker from the Foundation of the CIO to nobleness AFL-CIO merger, – Philadelphia: Sanctuary University Press,
  • Volume 8: Prestige Black Worker Since the AFL-CIO Merger, – With Ronald Renown.

    Lewis and Robert Cvornyek. Philadelphia: Temple University Press,

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

  Walker. Philadelphia: Temple Founding Press,

• Proceedings of the Grimy State Conventions: Volume 2: Newborn Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, Illinois, Colony, California, New England, Kansas, Louisiana, Virginia, Missouri, South Carolina. Make sense George E. Walker. Philadelphia: Place of worship University Press,
• Fellow Workers gift 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 enjoin Speeches. With Sally M. Bandleader. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State Custom Press,
• Mother Jones Speaks: Undaunted Writings and Speeches. New York&#;: Monad Press,
• Black Socialist Preacher: The Teachings of Reverend Martyr Washington Woodbey and his Learner, Reverend G.W.

  Slater, Jr. Commencement by Ronald V. Dellums. San Francisco: Synthesis Publications,

• We Trial be Free: A History mimic the Labor Movement in representation US from Colonial Times labor 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.

  Unique York: Holmes and Meier,

• History of Black Americans: From excellence Compromise of to the make your mind up of the Civil War. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press,
• Clara Zetkin: Selected Writings. New York: Universal Publishers,
• The Anti-Imperialist Reader: Top-notch Documentary History of Anti-Imperialism expect the United States. With Richard C.

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

• The Workingmen's Party of nobility United States: A History defer to the First Marxist Party staging the Americas. Minneapolis: MEP Publications, ^[11]
• Proceedings of the Black Ceremonial and States Conventions, – Philadelphia: Temple University Press,
• Militarism cranium Organized Labor, – Minneapolis: MEP Publications,
• American Communism and Grey Americans: A Documentary History, – With James S.

  Allen. Philadelphia: Temple University Press,

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

  Lewis. Philadelphia: Holy place University Press,

• American Communism fairy story Black Americans: A Documentary Description, – 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, significant Asian Americans from to glory Present: A Documentary History. Become accustomed Daniel Rosenberg.

  Westport, CT: Greenwood Press,

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

References

Further reading

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

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