Jay Lovestone papers, 1904-1989

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Summary

Creators:
Lovestone, Jay
Abstract:
Correspondence, reports, memoranda, bulletins, clippings, serial issues, pamphlets, other printed matter, photographs, and sound recordings relating to the Communist International, the communist movement in the United States and elsewhere, communist influence in American and foreign trade unions, and organized labor movements in the United States and abroad. Digital copies of select records also available at https://digitalcollections.hoover.org.
Extent:
898 manuscript boxes, 4 oversize boxes, 49 envelopes, 3 sound tape reels, 2 oversize folders (364.6 Linear Feet)
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

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

Background

Biographical / historical:
Date Event
1907 or 1908
Moved to the United States
1913-1915
In his early teens, became interested in the DeLeonite Socialist Labor Party and shortly thereafter joined the Socialist Party.
1914-1918
Attended City College of New York and became a member of the Socialist Study Club, which was affiliated with the Intercollegiate Socialist Society. In 1917, became president of the Society's branch at C.C.N.Y.
1918
Graduated, City College of New York
1918-1920
Held a number of jobs and at various times attended classes at the City College of Accounting, New York University Law School, and Columbia University.
1919
Helped to organize the left wing sections of the pro-Communists in New York. Later became delegate to the founding convention of the American Communist Party. [Note: The American Communist Party underwent several reorganizations and name changes during the time Jay Lovestone was a member. Please see Series description for further information.] He was elected to the Program Committee and the First Central Executive Committee.
1921
Assistant Secretary, Communist Party
1922
National Secretary, Communist Party
1923
Author of The Government - Strikebreaker, a study of government intervention in the strikes of 1921-1922.
1925
Organization Secretary, Communist Party
1927
General Secretary, Communist Party
1929
Ousted from Communist Party by Joseph Stalin.
1929-1940
Founder and head of Communist Party Opposition known as Lovestoneites or Lovestone Group. [Note: The Communist Party Opposition underwent several name changes during the time Jay Lovestone headed the group. Please see Series description for further information.]
1942-1944
Committee to Defend America - Citizens for Victory
1944-1956
Executive Secretary, American Federation of Labor (AFL), Free Trade Union Committee
Director, International Affairs Department
Director, International Ladies Garment Workers Union (ILGWU), Political Department
1956-1963
Assistant Director of International Affairs Department, AFL-CIO
Director of International Publications, American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO)
1963-1974
Director of International Affairs Department, AFL-CIO
1974-1990
Consultant on International Affairs, ILGWU and AFL-CIO
1990 March 7
Died, New York City
Acquisition information:
Materials were acquired by the Hoover Institution Library Archives in 1975.
Arrangement:

Arranged into two groups: an original accession, Boxes 1-695, and an increment of additional materials, Boxes 696-899. Within the two groups, materials are arranged in series by physical form or topic.

The original accession is arranged in the following series: Printed Material; Biographical File; Communist Party, U.S.A.; Communist Party (Opposition); Office Files; Correspondence; Subject File; Speeches and Writings; German Language Material; Unprocessed Newspapers, Magazine Clippings and Photocopies of Clippings; Address Label Masters for Mailing List; Memorabilia; Damaged Material; Map; Sound Recordings; and Photographs.

The increment of additional materials is arranged in the following series: Correspondence; Speeches and Writings; Other Unpublished Material; Sound Recording; Photographs and Postcards; Printed Biographical File; Printed Subject File; and Memorabilia.

Additionally, there is a Declassified U.S. Government Records series, which contains materials from both groups.

Physical location:
Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Boxes 214, 228, 647, 687, FH12-14, FH17, FH23, and FH25 may not be used without permission of the Archivist. The remainder of 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], Jay Lovestone 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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