Stanley Levison: Difference between revisions
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'''Stanley David Levison''' (2 May 1912 โ 12 September 1979) was a [[ | '''Stanley David Levison''' (2 May 1912 โ 12 September 1979) was a [[US American]] attorney, [[communist]] [[jew]] and [[white]] handler to [[black]] [[civil rights]] leader [[Martin Luther King, Jr.]] ย | ||
==Life== | ==Life== | ||
[[File:Stanley D. Levison.jpg|right|310px]] | [[File:Stanley D. Levison.jpg|right|310px]] | ||
Levison studied at the University of Michigan, Columbia University, and the New School for Social Research. He later earned two law degrees from St. Johnโs University. Levison became independently wealthy from early success with real estate ventures and running a Ford dealership with his twin brother Roy in northern [[New Jersey]].<ref>''The Atlantic Monthly'', Volume 290, page 81</ref> Levison became one of the most highly respected | Levison studied at the University of Michigan, Columbia University, and the New School for Social Research. He later earned two law degrees from St. Johnโs University. Levison became independently wealthy from early success with real estate ventures and running a Ford dealership with his twin brother Roy in northern [[New Jersey]].<ref>''The Atlantic Monthly'', Volume 290, page 81</ref> Levison became one of the most highly respected jews in New York and was the treasure of the local [[Manhattan]] branch of the American jewish Congress. | ||
===Communist Party executive=== | ===Communist Party executive=== | ||
Levison was a fund-raiser for the [[Communist Party USA]] | Levison was a fund-raiser for the [[Communist Party USA]]<ref>''From Civil Rights to Human Rights'', By Thomas F. Jackson, Martin Luther King (Jr.), page 41</ref> Levison handled the finances of the Communist Party until 1955 when he moved his talents to the so-called [[Civil Rights Movement]].<ref>''From Civil Rights to Human Rights'', By Thomas F. Jackson, Martin Luther King (Jr.), page 78</ref> Thereafter Levison would continue to contribute and personally finance the party. The FBI suspected Levisonโs alleged break with the party was a cover and his special relationship with King was an assignment designated to him by the partyโs [[Soviet]] sponsors.<ref>''Bearing the cross: Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Southern Christian...'', By David J. Garrow, page 195</ref> | ||
: ''In 1956 Stanley Levison, a | : ''In 1956 Stanley Levison, a jewish attorney from New York, began raising funds to support the Montgomery bus boycott and became acquainted with Martin Luther King, Jr. The two men developed a close relationship in which Levison not only advised King, but also aided him with the day-to-day administrative demands of the movement.''<ref>[https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/levison-stanley-david Levison, Stanley David]</ref> | ||
In 1956, Levinson along with Bayard Rustin and Ella Baker founded "In Friendship" to raise funds for southern [[civil rights]] agitators. | In 1956, Levinson along with Bayard Rustin and Ella Baker founded "In Friendship" to raise funds for southern [[civil rights]] agitators. | ||
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==Death== | ==Death== | ||
Levison died at his home in New York City in 1979, age 67, from complications with diabetes and cancer. | Levison died at his home in New York City in 1979, age 67, from complications with diabetes and cancer. | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
*[[Black- | *[[Black-jewish-Marxist Revolution]] | ||
==Further reading== | ==Further reading== | ||
* Toby Terrar: [https://cwpublishers.files.wordpress.com/2017/05/levison.pdf ''Stanley Levisonโs Financial Role in the Civil Rights and Communist Movements in the 1940s to 1960s''], 2016 ([https://web.archive.org/web/20221104114613/https://cwpublishers.files.wordpress.com/2017/05/levison.pdf Archive]) | * Toby Terrar: [https://cwpublishers.files.wordpress.com/2017/05/levison.pdf ''Stanley Levisonโs Financial Role in the Civil Rights and Communist Movements in the 1940s to 1960s''], 2016 ([https://web.archive.org/web/20221104114613/https://cwpublishers.files.wordpress.com/2017/05/levison.pdf Archive]) | ||
==External link== | ==External link== | ||
* [http://vault.fbi.gov/Stanley%20Levison Stanley Levison FBI file] | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist|2}} | ||
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[[Category:Communist jews]] | |||
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[[Category:Martin Luther King]] | [[Category:Martin Luther King]] | ||
Latest revision as of 23:34, 24 February 2024
| Stanley D. Levison | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| File:Stanley Levison.jpg
Stanley Levison, close friend of Martin Luther King, Jr., who drafted his iconic "I Have a Dream" Speech. | |||
| Born | 2 May 1912 in New York City, United States | ||
| Died | 12 September 1979 (aged 67) in New York City, United States | ||
| Nationality | American | ||
| Occupation | Businessman, lawyer | ||
| Spouse | Beatrice Merkin Levison | ||
| Children | Andrew Levison | ||
| Parents | Harry Dudley Levison Esther Kirstein Levison | ||
Stanley David Levison (2 May 1912 โ 12 September 1979) was a US American attorney, communist jew and white handler to black civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr.
Life
Levison studied at the University of Michigan, Columbia University, and the New School for Social Research. He later earned two law degrees from St. Johnโs University. Levison became independently wealthy from early success with real estate ventures and running a Ford dealership with his twin brother Roy in northern New Jersey.[1] Levison became one of the most highly respected jews in New York and was the treasure of the local Manhattan branch of the American jewish Congress.
Communist Party executive
Levison was a fund-raiser for the Communist Party USA[2] Levison handled the finances of the Communist Party until 1955 when he moved his talents to the so-called Civil Rights Movement.[3] Thereafter Levison would continue to contribute and personally finance the party. The FBI suspected Levisonโs alleged break with the party was a cover and his special relationship with King was an assignment designated to him by the partyโs Soviet sponsors.[4]
- In 1956 Stanley Levison, a jewish attorney from New York, began raising funds to support the Montgomery bus boycott and became acquainted with Martin Luther King, Jr. The two men developed a close relationship in which Levison not only advised King, but also aided him with the day-to-day administrative demands of the movement.[5]
In 1956, Levinson along with Bayard Rustin and Ella Baker founded "In Friendship" to raise funds for southern civil rights agitators.
- The American people are not inclined to change their society in order to free the Negro. They are ready to undertake some, and perhaps major reforms, but not to make a revolution.[6]
Relationship with King
Levison was Kingโs chief advisor and spoke to him by telephone almost on a daily basis. The FBI with authorization from Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy wiretapped most of these conversations.[7] Communist party leaders would brag their old comrade was Kingโs number one advisor and was writing most of his speeches.[8] President John F. Kennedy personally warned King to break his association with Levison because of his communist affiliations. Levison for a while backed away for King but continued to direct him thru an intermediary.
Levison was the brainchild in suggesting the development the coalition of black clerics that became the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. He was instrumental in finding ghost writers to King's book Why We Canโt Wait.[9]
Adam Clayton Powell, Harlem representative to Congress, warned blacks that King was a captive to "outside interests", meaning communists.[10]
Death
Levison died at his home in New York City in 1979, age 67, from complications with diabetes and cancer.
See also
Further reading
- Toby Terrar: Stanley Levisonโs Financial Role in the Civil Rights and Communist Movements in the 1940s to 1960s, 2016 (Archive)
External link
References
- โ The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 290, page 81
- โ From Civil Rights to Human Rights, By Thomas F. Jackson, Martin Luther King (Jr.), page 41
- โ From Civil Rights to Human Rights, By Thomas F. Jackson, Martin Luther King (Jr.), page 78
- โ Bearing the cross: Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Southern Christian..., By David J. Garrow, page 195
- โ Levison, Stanley David
- โ Stanley David Levison
- โ A Guide to the microfilm edition of the Martin Luther King, Jr., FBI file: The King-Levison file, page iv
- โ Bearing the cross: Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Southern Christian..., By David J. Garrow, page 195
- โ Just my soul responding: rhythm and blues, black consciousness, and race. By Brian Ward, page 310
- โ The Papers of Martin Luther King, Jr, page 31