Summary Information

Title: Robert Chester Papers
Inclusive Dates: circa 1944-1976

Creator:

• Chester, Robert, 1912-1975

Call Number: Mss 348; Micro 2043

Quantity: 1.0 c.f. (3 archives boxes) and 3 reels of microfilm (35mm)

Repository:

Wisconsin Historical Society, Division of Library, Archives, and Museum Collections

Archival Locations:

Wisconsin Historical Society (Map)

COLLECTION MAY BE STORED OFF-SITE: see catalog entry to request materials and for additional information.

Abstract:

Papers of Robert Chester, a Socialist Workers Party organizer and educator. Included are obituaries, brief correspondence, speeches and writings, and subject files. The speeches and writings primarily document reports, speeches, and educational classes dealing with Stalinism, fascism, the Russian Revolution, and other aspects of party history and philosophy. Also represented are remarks by James P. Cannon, Farrell Dobbs, George Clarke, and Anne Chester. Correspondence and subject files document activities in the San Francisco branch of the SWP from the 1940s to the 1970s, local labor conditions, opposition to Gerald L. K. Smith, and the student strike at San Francisco State University, 1968-1969. There are also folders of SWP songs and skits, campaign literature of SWP candidate Myra Tanner Weiss, and a small amount of material pertaining to Chester's work as a set designer under the name Robert Chertov for the WPA Theatre.

Note:

There is a restriction on use of this material; see the Administrative/Restriction Information portion of this finding aid for details.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-whs-mss00348