Albert Parsons
(1848-1887)
Albert Richard Parsons was a pioneer American socialist and later anarchist newspaper editor, orator, and labor activist. As a teenager, he served in the military force of the Confederate States of America in Texas, during the American Civil War.
A printer by trade, came to Chicago in 1873 from Waco, Texas with his wife Lucy. In Texas they had both been active in the anti-slavery Republican Party. Chicago's Republican Party, on the other hand, was something entirely different; Albert and Lucy joined the Socialist Labor Party (SLP) instead.
Albert was an active member of Chicago Typographical Union No. 16 and Knights of Labor Local 1037. He ran as a candidate for several city offices and otherwise lent his very able hand at building up the SLP and the Workingmen's Party. Disillusioned with electoral politics, he became an anarchist and edited the English language anarchist newspaper, the Alarm. A popular labor writer and leader, he helped lead the historic May 1, 1886, march of 80,000 Chicago workers, and was a militant advocate of the Eight Hour Day. He was hanged on November 11, 1887, leaving behind his wife and 2 children.
A printer by trade, came to Chicago in 1873 from Waco, Texas with his wife Lucy. In Texas they had both been active in the anti-slavery Republican Party. Chicago's Republican Party, on the other hand, was something entirely different; Albert and Lucy joined the Socialist Labor Party (SLP) instead.
Albert was an active member of Chicago Typographical Union No. 16 and Knights of Labor Local 1037. He ran as a candidate for several city offices and otherwise lent his very able hand at building up the SLP and the Workingmen's Party. Disillusioned with electoral politics, he became an anarchist and edited the English language anarchist newspaper, the Alarm. A popular labor writer and leader, he helped lead the historic May 1, 1886, march of 80,000 Chicago workers, and was a militant advocate of the Eight Hour Day. He was hanged on November 11, 1887, leaving behind his wife and 2 children.
Additional Resources
- Autobiography of Albert Parsons, html format.
- "Albert Parsons," Spartacus Schoolnet.com.