White, David McKelvy, 1901-1945

David McKelvy White (1901-1945) was the son of a prominent Ohio politician. After graduating from Princeton University, White taught English literature and composition at Brooklyn College and City College in New York City. In March 1937, White went to Spain to fight in the Spanish Civil War, serving as a company clerk and machine gunner. He returned to the U.S. in the fall of 1937 and headed the activities of the Friends of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade (F.A.L.B.), a group formed to aid American volunteers still in Spain. A committed political activist, White wrote and lectured widely about the Spanish Civil War. He died in 1945 at the age of 44.

From the description of Papers, 1937-1945 (bulk 1937-1939). (New York University). WorldCat record id: 476250061

David McKelvy White (1901-1945) was a professor at Brooklyn College and College of the City of New York. He served in the George Washington Battalion, a group of Americans who fought on the Loyalist side in the Spanish Civil War. After his return to the U.S. he worked as a fundraiser and spokesman for the Spanish Republic and became the national chairman of the Friends of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade which later became the Veterans of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade.

From the guide to the David McKelvy White collection, 1937-1938, (The New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division.)

David McKelvy White (1901-1945) was a professor at Brooklyn College and College of the City of New York.

He served in the George Washington Battalion, a group of Americans who fought on the Loyalist side in the Spanish Civil War. After his return to the U.S. he worked as a fundraiser and spokesman for the Spanish Republic and became the national chairman of the Friends of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade which later became the Veterans of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade.

From the description of David McKelvy White collection, 1937-1938. (New York Public Library). WorldCat record id: 122627032

David McKelvy White was born in 1901 into a prominent Ohio political family. His father, George White, was an oil entrepreneur who later became governor of Ohio and chairman of the National Democratic Party. David White graduated from Princeton University in 1925 and taught English literature and composition at City College and Brooklyn College in New York City. Reports of the civil war in Spain and sympathy for the anti-fascist cause impelled White into action. He sailed to France in March of 1937 and crossed the Pyrenees into Spain on foot to join in the fight against the fascists.

While serving as company clerk, machine gunner, and stretcher-bearer in the Fourth Machine Gun Company of the George Washington Battalion under lieutenant Walter Garland, White encountered several of his former students, including Hy Roseman, Harry Hakam and Leonard Lamb, who became White's machine gun instructor. In July, 1937 White fought in the Battle of Brunete. Before leaving Spain, he wrote a journal about his experiences.

White returned to the U.S. in the fall of 1937 and took over as executive secretary (and later national chairman) of the Friends of the Abraham Lincoln Brigades (F.A.L.B.). F.A.L.B. worked to hasten the release of Americans from Spanish prisons; to assure medical care for wounded volunteers; to deal with the problem of foreign-born Americans being detained at Ellis Island; to expedite shipments of cigarettes, chocolate and other provisions to volunteers still fighting; and to raise funds on behalf of the Spanish Republican cause. In 1939 White became a long distance foster parent to a Spanish Civil War orphan, who sent him letters and drawings. White also wrote and lectured widely about the situation in Spain. His writings include the pamphlets From These Honored Dead, co-authored by James Hawthorne, and Franco Spain…America's Enemy . F.A.L.B. officially disbanded in December 1939; the Veterans of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade assumed responsibility for all outstanding F.A.L.B. activities.

In 1940 the Rapp-Coudert Legislative Committee interrogated White as part of their investigation into communistic activities in the New York State school system. White declined immunity and refused to testify. He went on to direct the Detroit Labor School from 1942-1944.

White died in 1945 from a heart attack at the age of 44.

From the guide to the David McKelvy White Papers, Bulk, 1937-1939, 1937-1945, (Bulk 1937-1939), (Tamiment Library / Wagner Archives)