James Elroy Boulton, a long time crusader for Marxist Socialism, was born in
Milwaukee 14 July 1919. He attended Story Grade School, and Solomon Juneau and West
Division High Schools. His study at Milwaukee State Teachers College ended after
three years with a suspension in 1940 for organizing and leading an anti-war
strike.
He organized the Milwaukee chapter of the Socialist Workers Party (SWP) and was
active in Socialist groups for the rest of his life. He ran for public office eight
times but was never elected. His attempts were: mayor of Milwaukee, 1948; governor,
1948; US senator, 1950 and 1952; US representative, 1966 and 1970; and WI state
assemblyman, 1962. He died on 9 March 1980 in Milwaukee at the age of 60.
