Joseph P. Lash Papers | Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library & Museum

Title: Joseph P. Lash Papers

Primary Creator: Lash, Joseph P.

Extent: 46.44 Cubic Feet

Arrangement: The Lash papers are divided into four series: General Correspondence 1933-1987; Youth Organizations and Activities; Diaries, Notes, Speeches and Writings; and Clippings.

The Joseph Lash papers include material relating to Lash’s involvement in political activist groups, friendship with Eleanor Roosevelt, and journalism career. The papers range in date from 1933-1987 and the majority of the material postdates 1940.

This collection consist of correspondence and printed material relating to Lash’s involvement with various student political organizations. Included are reference material and drafts  written by Lash for his biographies of Eleanor Roosevelt and other published works. His papers also contain transcripts of interviews with people of interest to Lash and the majority of the material relates to his interest in politics and Eleanor Roosevelt.

Joseph Lash, political activist and journalist, was best known for his biographies of Eleanor Roosevelt, one of which, Eleanor and Franklin, won a Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award in 1972. Born to Russian-Jewish immigrants in New York City, Lash received his Bachelor’s degree from City College and a Master’s from Columbia University. As a student, he actively campaigned for an American socialist revolution, the abolition of mandatory military training, and the Student League for Industrial Democracy. He also founded the Association of Unemployed College Alumni and served as an officer in the American Student Union. Lash’s anti-war, anti-fascism convictions were shaken by Hitler’s rise to power and Stalin’s Nazi-Soviet non-aggression pact. He then aligned himself with the anti-communist American liberals. In 1939, Lash was subpoenaed before the House Un-American Activities Committee to testify about communist infiltration of the American Youth Congress. Lash captivated the First Lady’s attention and became a lifelong friend and trusted advisor. In November 1944, Lash married Trude Wenzel Pratt.

Repository: Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library & Museum

Access Restrictions: Material that constitutes an unwarranted invasion of privacy has been closed

Use Restrictions: Copyright interests in the material have been donated to the United States Government.

Acquisition Source: Joseph and Trude Lash

Acquisition Method: The papers were donated to the Library by Mr. and Mrs. Lash.

Related Materials: Eleanor Roosevelt Papers, OF 444, National Youth Administration, OF 3910: American Youth Congress, PPF 6881: Joseph Lash, PPF 5057: American Student Union, PPF 2282: American Youth Congress, PPF 7180: International Student Service of the United States.