Milton Genecin papers, 1906-1987

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Summary

Creators:
Genecin, Milton, 1908-1989
Abstract:
Correspondence, writings, minutes, internal bulletins, other internal party documents, serial issues, and pamphlets, relating to socialist and communist movements in the United States, especially the Socialist Workers Party, and to activities of Trotskyist groups abroad.
Extent:
48 manuscript boxes (20.0 Linear Feet)
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Milton Genecin papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Background

Scope and content:

The papers of Milton Genecin reflect his long membership in the Socialist Workers Party from its founding convention in 1938 up until 1983, when he was one of a number of veteran members who left or were expelled from the party. Genecin was sequentially active in the New York City, Akron, Toledo and Los Angeles branches of the Socialist Workers Party. He was the party organizer for some time in each of the last three cities, and was for a number of years a member of the National Committee of the party. In party work he used the pseudonym Milton Alvin. The papers provide detailed documentation of the interior life of the party during the decades of Genecin's membership. They are divided into five series.

The Correspondence series consists overwhelmingly of Genecin's correspondence with other party members. It retains the chronological arrangement initiated by Genecin himself. While this may not be optimal for some purposes, it is ideal for others, bringing together as it does letters to and from multiple individuals discussing contemporaneous party situations.

The series of Speeches and Writings by Genecin is also arranged chronologically. It includes both lectures and articles written for public outlets, on the one hand, and internal party speeches and discussion papers, on the other.

The series of Internal Documents consists of assorted items circulated internally within the Socialist Workers Party. These include minutes, resolutions, theses, discussion papers, and mimeographed or photocopied transcripts of letters and other documents. Some notes by Genecin on party meetings are also included. This series too is arranged chronologically.

The series of Internal Bulletins is very substantial. It consists of items susceptible to treatment as serials but intended for internal use only within the Socialist Workers Party. They are arranged by title and thereunder numerically/chronologically. Bulletins issued by youth or other affiliates of the party are included.

The series of Printed Matter consists mainly of pamphlets intended for public consumption. Most of these were publications of the Socialist Workers Party or related organizations or presses. There is a separate subseries of pamphlets issued by unrelated organizations or presses, and other small subseries for serial issues and clippings.

The Milton Genecin Papers were acquired by the Hoover Institution from Thelma Genecin in 1989, soon after her husband's death.

The abbreviation SWP is used for the Socialist Workers Party in various places throughout the register.

Biographical / historical:
Date Event
1908
Born in Russia
1913
Immigrated to United States
1935
Joined Socialist Party
1938
Founding member, Socialist Workers Party
1940
Founding member, Workers Party, following split in Socialist Workers Party
1941
Left Workers Party and returned to Socialist Workers Party
1957-1971
National Committee member, Socialist Workers Party
1983
Expelled from Socialist Workers Party. Founding member, Socialist Action
1989
Died, Los Angeles, California
Acquisition information:
Acquired by the Hoover Institution Library Archives in 1989.
Physical location:
Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research; materials must be requested in advance via our reservation system. If there are audiovisual or digital media material in the collection, they must be reformatted before providing access.

Terms of access:

For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Milton Genecin papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Location of this collection:
Hoover Institution Library & Archives, Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305-6003, US
Contact:
(650) 723-3563
hooverarchives@stanford.edu
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