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Title: Jay Lovestone papers
Date (inclusive): 1904-1989
Collection Number: 75091
Contributing Institution: Hoover Institution Library and Archives
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
898 manuscript boxes, 4 oversize boxes, 49 envelopes, 3 sound tape reels, 2 oversize folders
(364.6 Linear Feet)
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.
Creator:
Lovestone, Jay
Physical Location: Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Boxes 214, 228, 647, 687, FH12-14, and FH17 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.
For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
Materials were acquired by the Hoover Institution Library & Archives in 1975.
[Identification of item], Jay Lovestone papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
Location of Original Materials
Digital copies of select records also available at
https://digitalcollections.hoover.org.
| 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 |
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.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Audiotapes
Communism -- United States
Communism
Labor movement -- United States
Labor unions -- United States
Labor movement
Labor unions
Labor unions and communism
Communist International
Communist Party of the United States of America
AFL-CIO.
American Federation of Labor. Free Trade Union Committee
Communist Party U.S.A. (Opposition)