Arthur and Lila Weinberg Papers, 1950-1988

Gift, Arthur and Lila Weinberg, 1985, with subsequent donations.

The Arthur and Lila Weinberg Papers are open for research in the Special Collections Reading Room; 1 box at a time (Priority III).

The Arthur and Lila Weinberg Papers are the physical property of the Newberry Library. Copyright may belong to the authors or their legal heirs or assigns. For permission to publish or reproduce any materials from this collection, contact the Roger and Julie Baskes Department of Special Collections.

Arthur and Lila Weinberg Papers, The Newberry Library, Chicago.

Marvin Berz, 1988; Alison Hinderliter, 2005.

This inventory was created with the generous support of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this inventory do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Arthur Weinberg was a newspaperman, author, teacher, and biographer of Clarence Darrow. Graduating in 1941 from Northwestern University with a degree in Journalism, Weinberg worked for Fairchild Publications, which published national business newspapers such as the Home Furnishings Daily. A lifelong fan and promoter of Clarence Darrow, Weinberg conceived of the idea of the Clarence Darrow Centennial in 1957, as well as hosting annual commemorations of Darrow's death by throwing a wreath over the Clarence Darrow Memorial Bridge in Jackson Park, Chicago. Weinberg, along with his co-editor and wife Lila, wrote three books devoted to Darrow and his legacy: Attorney for the Damned, Verdicts out of Court, and Clarence Darrow: A Sentimental Rebel. The Weinbergs collaborated on books of other topics as well: on journalists who uncovered political corruption (The Muckrakers); on pacifist writers and philosophers (Instead of Violence); on histories of thought concerning ideal communities (Passport to Utopia); and early rebellious thinkers (Some Dissenting Voices). Arthur and Lila Weinberg lectured extensively on Darrow and other topics, at DePaul University and all over the country. Lila Weinberg was an editor at the University of Chicago Press for many years. Both Weinbergs were members of the Society of Midland Authors and active in the Clarence Darrow Community Center. They were close friends with lawyer and author Elmer Gertz.

Arthur Weinberg died January 28, 1989.

Notes and secondary source materials about lawyer Clarence Darrow, drafts and notes for the seven books plus shorter works by the Weinbergs; information about Arthur and Lila Weinberg, and some photographs.

Secondary source materials include copies of newspaper clippings taken from microfilm at various libraries, most extensively at the Library of Congress. There are also compiled copies of Darrow's correspondence, duplicated from different libraries. Handwritten notes on cards and lined paper are abundant.

Papers are organized in the following series:

Title Box Series 1: Darrow Research Files, ca. 1956-1985 Boxes 1-4 Series 2: Weinberg Information Files, 1956-1988 Boxes 5-6 Series 3: Works, ca. 1950-1988 Boxes 7-36 Series 4: Photographs, ca. 1950's-1980's Box 36

• Names
  • Clarence Darrow Community Center (Chicago, Ill.).
  • Darrow, Clarence, 1857-1938
  • Gertz, Elmer, 1906-2000
  • Society of Midland Authors.
  • Weinberg, Lila Shaffer
• Subject
  • Chicago
  • Forensic orations -- Sources
  • Lawyers -- United States – Biography
  • Manuscripts, American -- Illinois -- Chicago
  • Nonviolence
  • Peace
  • Social Action
  • Social reformers -- United States
• Geographic CoverageUnited States -- Social Conditions