Titler, George J., 1895-1976

George J. Titler is perhaps best known as the author of Hell in Harlan, an account of his union organizing days in Harlan County, Kentucky in the late 1930's. But Titler also served as Vice-President of the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) from 1966-1972. It was during his term, and that of President Tony Boyle, that many UMWA miners began challenging the union management.

Initially, the insurgent miners focused on electing Joseph (Jock) Yablonski as the reform candidate for President in the December 9, 1969 election, but Boyle and Titler won the race. Yablonski challenged the legality of that victory; however, before the Labor Department began its investigation, Yablonski, his wife, and daughter were murdered--an act planned by various UMWA officials, including Boyle. Following Yablonski's death a more radical mood dominated and the Miners for Democracy movement emerged from the rank and file. The materials in this collection deal primarily with this period of reform in the UMWA.