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Goldstein, David, 1870-1958

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1870 - 1958

Biographical Note

Goldstein (1870-1958) was born in London, England. In 1871 his family immigrated to New York, and in 1881 he left school to work as a cigar maker. Goldstein and his family moved to Boston in 1888, and he became affiliated with the Socialist Labor Party. There he met Martha Moore Avery, who influenced his decision to leave the Socialist Party in 1903 and later to convert to Catholicism. In 1917, Goldstein and Avery co-founded the Catholic Truth Guild (later known as Campaigners for Christ) and gave lectures in Boston and nationwide. After Avery's death in 1929, Goldstein continued to lecture and tour until retiring in 1941. He wrote several books, including "Autobiography of a Campaigner for Christ" (1936),"Letters, Hebrew-Catholic, to Mr. Isaacs" (1943), and "Suicide Bent: Sangerizing Mankind" (1945). From 1945 until his death, Goldstein wrote a regular newspaper column for The Pilot, a Boston Catholic newspaper, and contributed articles to other publications.

Found in 1 Collection or Record:

David Goldstein and Martha Moore Avery papers

 Collection
Abstract

The David Goldstein and Martha Moore Avery papers relate mainly to their association with and disavowal of the Socialist Party, their conversion to Catholicism, and their subsequent lecture tours. The bulk of the material consists of Goldstein's professional papers, with a smaller amount of his personal papers and of Avery's papers. The collection includes artifacts, correspondence, financial records, pamphlets and clippings, photographs, scrapbooks, subject files, and writings.

Restrictions on access

Collection is open for research. Some scrapbooks are too fragile to be used without supervision; please consult the Archivist.

Dates: 1870 - 1958; Majority of material found within 1917 - 1940