Guide to the James Dolsen Political Left Pamphlets Collection, 1918-1996 AIS.1999.11
Repository
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Title
James Dolsen Political Left Pamphlets Collection
Creator
Dolsen, James H.
Collection Number
AIS.1999.11
Extent
6.25 Linear Feet(5 boxes)
Date
1918-1996
Abstract
James Dolsen was a founding member of the Communist Party USA and was persecuted during the 1930s and 1950s for his involvement in Communist activities. This collection contains pamphlets, newsletters, and newspapers from various organizations concerning unemployment, socialism and deindustrialization.
Language
English
.
Author
Zachary Brodt
Publisher
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Address
University of Pittsburgh Library System Archives & Special Collections Website: library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections Business Number: 412-648-3232 (Thomas) | 412-648-8190 (Hillman) Contact Us: www.library.pitt.edu/ask-archivist URL: http://library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections
Access Restrictions
No restrictions.
Acquisition Information
Gift of Mark Dolsen in 1999.
Biography
James Dolsen was a founding member of the Communist Party USA. He served as Secretary-Treasurer of the Workers Alliance of Allegheny County and District Secretary of the International Labor Defense, in addition to being affiliated with several Communist organizations in the Pittsburgh, Pa., area. Dolsen was also a correspondent for the Daily Worker, the newspaper of the Communist Party USA. He was questioned by the Dies Committee and the House Un-American Activities Committee regarding his work as a Communist leader. In the early 1950s, Dolsen was convicted of sedition along with Steve Nelson and served several years in a workhouse before a new trial was demanded by the United States Supreme Court due to the unreliable testimony of FBI informant Joseph Mazzei. Dolsen lived to be 103 years old and was an active member in the Communist party until his death in 1988.
Copyright
The University of Pittsburgh holds the property rights to the material in this collection, but the copyright may still be held by the original creator/author. Researchers are therefore advised to follow the regulations set forth in the U.S. Copyright Code when publishing, quoting, or reproducing material from this collection without the consent of the creator/author or that go beyond what is allowed by fair use.
Previous Citation
James Dolsen Political Left Pamphlets Collection, 1918-1996, AIS.1999.11, Archives Service Center, University of Pittsburgh
Preferred Citation
James Dolsen Political Left Pamphlets Collection, 1918-1996, AIS.1999.11, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Zachary Brodt in March 2010.
Related Material
Steve Nelson Oral History Project Records, AIS.1978.24, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System
Hymen Schlesinger Papers, 1927-1990, AIS.1977.33, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System
A. E. Forbes Communist Collection, 1921-1972, AIS.2000.07, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System
Lawrence F. Evans Collection, 1978-1988, AIS.1988.17, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System
This collection contains pamphlets, newsletters, and newspapers from various organizations concerning unemployment, socialism and deindustrialization. Included are various socialist newspapers, including The Militant and Labor Action, and other left publications from the 1950s. Information on deindustrialization in Pittsburgh during the 1980s can be found in subject files such as those regarding the Tri-State Conference on Steel. There are also several files regarding labor unions in the Pittsburgh area.