Schapiro, Theodore, 1898-1998

Theodore Schapiro (1898-1998), was a political activist and the last director of the Rand School of Social Science (1943-56). His early training in art and industrial design at Cooper Union, the Art Students' League, and the Beaux Arts Institute of Design led to a career in industrial design. He joined the Socialist Party early in his life and assisted in planning the Party's platform for Norman Thomas' presidential bid in 1940. He served as an organizer for the Textile Workers Union as well as other unions, and he taught adult education classes for them and for the International Ladies' Garment Workers Union. During the 1930s he was employed by the Works Progress Administration's Federal Arts Project.

From the guide to the Theodore Schapiro Papers and Photographs, 1913-1956, (Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archive)