John C. Weaver was a peace activist devoted to promoting social justice. He documented these important issues in regards to Pittsburgh's and Western Pennsylvania's history, along with activism in the social and political scene. John C. Weaver was born in Rochester, Pennsylvania in 1896. He was raised in a Methodist household and his father was a minister. Weaver received his education at Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania where he majored in Latin and Greek. Soon after graduating, he joined the U.S. Medical Corps in 1917 and served in France during World War I. After returning from the war in 1920 Weaver moved to Pittsburgh and became a social worker. His first employment in Pittsburgh was as an assistant director of the Kingsley Settlement House in East Liberty. He was employed as a social worker who helped Italian-Americans move and settle in Pittsburgh. It was here that he met and married Elsa Stringaro, an Italian translator at the house. After being frustrated by the limitations of social work at Kingsley, Weaver joined the Hungry Club in the early 1920s. The Hungry Club, named for its members who were hungry for ideas, was a public forum in Pittsburgh where people from all backgrounds would meet and discuss the leading issues of the day. Weaver joined as a participator but quickly became the executive director of the club. As executive director, Weaver organized the discussions, panels, and brought in speakers. He chose the topics of discussion, which varied from Pittsburgh politics to animal rights. Although interested in many issues, Weaver mostly advocated for single land tax reform and peace activism. He helped to elect William McNair, Pittsburgh's first single tax mayor of the 1930s. Weaver was also McNair's Secretary of Welfare for a brief time, but resigned because of the "dirty" politics that played out in city hall at that time. In the late 1940s Weaver helped found the Allegheny Roundtable, a panel discussion program that aired on WQED radio and later became a WQED television program. The Allegheny Roundtable resembled the Hungry Club, as it was a forum to discuss affairs in Pittsburgh and world news. His status in Pittsburgh was heightened during the 1960s because of his opinions on the steel industry, unemployment and the Vietnam War. In addition, Weaver also wrote a commentary column in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and the East Liberty Tribune. In addition, he taught courses at the Henry George School of Social Sciences in New York City as an adjunct professor. Weaver remained active even at the age of 79 when he demonstrated against the Vietnam War during a weekly Vigil for Peace at the Gateway Center in 1973. In addition to his politics, Weaver was a lifelong vegetarian, a Catholic, and an active member of the Society of Friends. Weaver moved from Pittsburgh in the late 1970s to live with his three sons in New York City. He died there in 1985 at the age of 86.
From the description of Weaver social history collection, 1913-1970. (University of Pittsburgh). WorldCat record id: 30674036
