Biography/History

Emma Goldman

Emma Goldman was born June 27, 1869, in Kaunas, Lithuania. She emigrated to America in 1885. Within a few years of coming to America, Goldman became an active anarchist; she wrote articles and books, lectured, and even spent time in jail. In 1919 she was deported to Russia, but soon became disillusioned with the government of the newly formed Soviet Union. Goldman then moved to several countries, including Canada, France, and Spain. She died in Canada on May 14, 1940.

Morris Fromkin

Morris Fromkin was born in Kiev, Russia on July 25, 1892. As a child he emigrated to the United States and spent his formative years in New York City. Fromkin served in the U.S. Army Artillery in France during World War I. After returning to the U.S., Fromkin married Selma Strelsin (Strelzin). Fromkin moved to Milwaukee to attend law school and to be a part of the progressive atmosphere of the city. As a lawyer, Fromkin offered his services to immigrants and the disadvantaged, often for free. Fromkin died April 24, 1969. Shortly after his death, his family and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee established the Morris Fromkin Lecture Series and the Morris Fromkin Memorial Collection which contains materials regarding social justice issues. This collection is housed in the Golda Meir Library at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.