Sidney Lens papers

  • Creator Names Lens, Sidney.
  • Title Sidney Lens papers [manuscript], 1910-1986.
  • Physical description
    • 72 linear ft. (179 boxes, 1 v.)
    • 2 oversize folders.
    • 45 sound recordings.
    • 54 sound cassettes.
    • 1 microfilm reel.
  • Access and usage restrictions For listening purposes, it is necessary to use a copy, not the original (and to have a listening copy made if one is not available).
  • Collection summary Correspondence, newspaper clippings, articles, newsletters, notes, manuscripts of Lens' major books, financial records, and sound recordings from his career as a Chicago labor organizer, peace activist, political candidate, lecturer, and writer. Includes materials from the Revolutionary Workers' League; Local 329 of United Service Employees Union; National Mobilization Committee to End the War in Vietnam; and other groups. Also includes Lens' research notes, travel notes, and his FBI files (obtained through FOIA request in 1979).
  • Biographical or Historical Note Sidney Lens, 1912-1986; his birthname was Sidney Okun.
  • Acquisition information Gift of Sidney Lens and his wife, Shirley Lens, beginning in 1968 (M1968.0746; M1971.0026; M1976.0006; M1979.0002; M1985.0006; 1986.0436; 2006.0077).
  • Location of Other Archival Materials Note Related materials at Chicago History Museum, Research Center, include papers of Lens' wife, Shirley Lens; a collection of motion picture films made by Lens and his wife during their extensive travels; the Sidney Lens and Shirley Lens collection of photographs (2006.0077.3-78); and books by Sidney Lens and interviews with him that are cataloged separately.
  • Finding Aids Note Descriptive inventory available online; does not include latest addition to collection.
  • Names
    • Lens, Sidney Archives.
    • Caldwell, Max.
    • Hickman, James Willis, 1907-1981.
    • Kutcher, James.
    • Lens, Shirley.
    • Nixon, Richard M. (Richard Milhous), 1913-1994.
    • Waller, Odell.
    • Building Service Employees' International Union.
    • Citizens Party.
    • Communist League of America.
    • Department Store Employees Union. Local 291.
    • Goldblatt Bros.
    • Hillman's (Chicago, Ill.)
    • Impeach Nixon Committee.
    • National Mobilization Committee to End the War in Vietnam.
    • New Mobilization Committee to End the War in Vietnam.
    • People's Party.
    • Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union. CIO
    • Revolutionary Workers League.
    • United Grocery and Produce Employees Union. Local 329. CIO
    • United Service Employees Union. Local 329. AFL
    • United States. Central Intelligence Agency.
    • United States Bureau of Investigation.
    • United States. Federal Bureau of Investigation.
    • Voters for Peace.
    • Wieboldt's (Department store chain : Chicago, Ill.)
    • Worker's Party.
    • Browder, Earl, 1891-1973.
    • Cannon, James P.
    • Green, Gil, 1906-1997.
    • Hayden, Tom.
    • Kissinger, C. Clark.
    • Lens, Shirley.
    • Lynd, Staughton.
    • Muste, Abraham John, 1885-1967.
    • Okun, Sid.
    • Building Service Employees' International Union. AFL
    • Citizens Party.
    • Communist League of America.
    • Department Store Employees Union. Local 291. AFL
    • Goldblatt Bros.
    • Hillman's (Chicago, Ill.)
    • Impeach Nixon Committee.
    • National Mobilization Committee to End the War in Vietnam.
    • New Mobilization Committee to End the War in Vietnam.
    • People's Party.
    • Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union. CIO
    • Revolutionary Workers League.
    • Building Service Employees' International Union. Local 329. AFL
    • United Grocery and Produce Employees Union. Local 329. CIO
    • United Service Employees Union. Local 329. AFL
    • United States. Central Intelligence Agency.
    • United States Bureau of Investigation.
    • United States. Federal Bureau of Investigation.
    • Voters for Peace.
    • Wieboldt's (Department store chain : Chicago, Ill.)
    • Worker's Party.
  • Uniform Title
    • National Catholic Reporter.
    • Progressive.
  • Subjects
    • Antinuclear movement United States 20th century.
    • Authors, American Illinois Chicago 20th century.
    • Civil rights.
    • Communism 20th century.
    • Communism United States 20th century.
    • Courtship New York (State) New York 20th century.
    • Department stores Illinois Chicago 20th century.
    • Families New York (State) New York 20th century.
    • Freedom of information United States.
    • Grocery trade Illinois Chicago 20th century.
    • International relations.
    • Jews Illinois Chicago 20th century.
    • Labor leaders Illinois Chicago 20th century.
    • International labor activities.
    • Labor unions Illinois Chicago 20th century.
    • Loyalty oaths Illinois Chicago 20th century.
    • Peace Societies, etc.
    • Race relations.
    • Right and left (Political science)
    • Russian Americans Illinois Chicago 20th century.
    • Strikes and lockouts Illinois Chicago 20th century.
    • Vietnam War, 1961-1975 Protest movements.
    • Voyages and travels.
    • Working class Illinois Chicago 20th century.
    • Wages Grocery trade Illinois Chicago 20th century.
  • Geographic coverage
    • Africa Description and travel 20th century.
    • Asia Description and travel 20th century.
    • Chicago (Ill.) Social conditions 20th century.
    • United States Foreign relations 20th century.
    • United States History 1945-
    • United States Politics and government 1945-1989.
  • Genre
    • Articles. aat
    • Audiocassettes. aat
    • Audiotapes. aat
    • Bills of sale. aat
    • Interviews. aat
    • Manuscripts for publication. aat
    • Newsletters. aat
    • Monographs. aat
  • Uniform title
    • National Catholic Reporter.
    • Progressive.
  • Geographic name United States Illinois Cook County Chicago.
  • Finding aid URL Finding aid available online http://chsmedia.org/media/fa/fa/M-L/LensSid-inv.htm