Ewen, Frederic, 1899-1988

Frederic Ewen was an author, educator, and a champion for the individuals right to self-expression and intellectual freedom. Frederic Ewen was born on October 11th, 1899 in Lemberg, Austria; he was brought to the United States by his family in 1912 and became a naturalized citizen that same year. Ewen grew up in Brooklyn and attended City College where he graduated in 1921. He then entered Columbia University where he received both a MA and Ph.D. While studying at City College, he began his career as a teacher and in 1930 became assistant professor of English at Brooklyn College. Within a few years after joining Brooklyn Colleges faculty Ewen became involved in the two strong political currents of the day, speaking out against the rise of fascism in Europe and against the inequality of suffering during the Great Depression. He became an active member of the Teachers' Union, which organized the professors in all the city colleges and sought to end discrimination on city campuses. In 1940 a New York State legislative panel, known as the Rapp-Coudert Committee, began to investigate allegations of subversive activities in the Citys public schools and colleges. Along with seven other teachers from Brooklyn College, Ewen refused to testify before the panel. Although Ewen and the Brooklyn College professors were spared the fate suffered by their colleagues at City College, who were investigated by the committee and dismissed by their school, Ewen and the other progressive teachers at Brooklyn could not escape from the McCarthy Era. After refusing to cooperate with the House Un-American Committee in 1952, Ewen resigned rather than be fired from Brooklyn College. He then organized theatrical lectures and performances featuring blacklisted actors such as Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, John Randolph, and Sam Waterston. These stage, radio and television performances included Ewen's dramatic adaptations of literary classics. Ewen was also the author of several books, including a biography of Bertolt Brecht. He died in 1988.

From the description of Papers, 1915-1988 (bulk 1940-1970). (New York University). WorldCat record id: 476110619

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