Smith, Gerald L. K. (Gerald Lyman Kenneth), 1898-1976

Variant names
Dates:
Birth 1898-02-27
Death 1976-04-15
English

Biographical notes:

Founder of the America First Party, head of the Christian Nationalist Crusade, and outspoken antisemite.

From the description of Gerald L.K. Smith papers, 1922-1976. (University of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 34418952

Minister and political agitator; d. 1976.

From the description of Gerald L.K. Smith publications, 1950s-1977. (Arkansas History Commission). WorldCat record id: 234380142

Smith (1898-1976) was a minister, publisher, and political crusader with a message of hate and bigotry. He founded the America First party and the Christain Nationalist Crusade. Smith published The Cross and the flag from 1942 to 1976, as well as many tracts, short books, and newsletters and was known nationally for his radio addresses. He ran unsuccessfully for a number of political positions. In 1964 Smith built the seven-story high Christ of the Ozarks statue and began a Christian museum, art gallery, and staged passion plays in Eureka Sprints (Ark.). (Information from American National Biography Online.).

From the description of Solicitation letters, 1942-1976. (Clarke Historical Library). WorldCat record id: 47066882

Born in Pardeeville, Wis., Gerald L.K. Smith grew up in Viroqua, Wis., and was ordained as a minister in the Disciples of Christ denomination in 1916. Following a move to Louisiana in 1928 to seek treatment for his wife's tuberculosis, Smith became a friend of Huey Long and with him established the Share Our Wealth Society, a group that proposed minimum and maximum limits on household wealth and income. Smith was present at the assassination of Long in 1935 and delivered the eulogy at Long's funeral. After Long's death, Smith became active in white supremacist politics, founding the America First Party and running for president in the 1944 and 1948 elections. He later moved to Arkansas in order to found a religious theme park that was never completed.

From the description of Gerald L.K. Smith broadside, circa 1935. (Louisiana State University). WorldCat record id: 301989495

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Subjects:

  • Religion
  • Anti-communist movements
  • Antisemitism
  • Antisemitism
  • Christianity and antisemitism
  • Clergy
  • Communism
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  • Protestants
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  • World War, 1939-1945
  • Antisemitism
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Places:

  • United States (as recorded)
  • United States (as recorded)
  • United States (as recorded)
  • United States (as recorded)
  • New York (N.Y.) (as recorded)
  • Louisiana (as recorded)
  • Eureka Springs (Ark.) (as recorded)
  • Michigan (as recorded)
  • United States (as recorded)
  • United States (as recorded)
  • United States (as recorded)