Brannin, born in Cisco, Texas, was a longtime resident of Dallas. A journalist and social activist, Brannin along with his wife, Laura, was active in politics, labor union organizing, and the civil rights movement. He was a charter member of the American Civil Liberties Union (founded in 1920) and an organizer of the Dallas Civil Liberties Union (founded in 1962).
Carl Brannin was a lifelong protestor, social activist and civil libertarian. Economist Henry George was his mentor, but he was also influenced by the writings of Upton Sinclair, some of which may be found in Box 9. Mr. Brannin ran as the socialist candidate for governor of Texas in 1936 and was a charter member of the Dallas chapters of the American Civil Liberties Union and the Americans for Democratic Action. He was also involved with Clergy and Laymen Concerned about Vietnam, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the Southern Leadership Conference and the Unitarian Church. He was a tireless writer of letters to the editor, many of which are reprinted in the book Dissenting Opinion (Box 4). Mr. Brannin's extensive travels are reflected in the files for his trips to Alaska, England, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Spain, Chile and Cuba. On Being Concerned, a biography of Carl Brannin and his wife Laura, is in Box 7.
From the guide to the Carl P. Brannin Papers AR285., 1904-1987, (Special Collections, The University of Texas at Arlington Library)
