Wise, Henry

Henry Wise was born on July 14, 1896 in Boston’s South End. He attended and graduated from the Boston Latin School, Harvard College in 1918, and Harvard Law School in 1921. In 1927 he married Pearl Katz, a civic and political leader in her own right. (Her papers are now at Harvard’s Schlesinger Archives.) Over the course of his career, he became involved with a number of unions around Massachusetts. In particular, he became a member of the Stenographs’ and Bookkeepers’ Union Delegate Boston Central Labor Union. In addition to his legal practice, he wrote on education, and became an instructor in law at Lynn Labor College, Salem Labor College, Boston Trade Union College, and Wellesley College. He was also a legal consultant expert for Co-operative Marketing Organization. He fought for civil rights in education, when he drafted a resolution, passed by A. F. of L., Condemning restriction of students by Harvard because of race. Wise worked in the private and public sector primarily on labor laws, public housing, and urban renewal. As part of his public housing work, he served on the Cambridge Housing Authority and was an advocate for urban renewal legislation in Massachusetts. He also worked extensively with the fishing industry in Massachusetts, predominantly during WWII. Henry Wise died in 1989 at the age of ninety-three.

From the guide to the Papers, 1918-1970, (Harvard Law School Library, Harvard University.)

Epithet: gardener

British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000000354.0x00024a

Henry Wise was born in the South End of Boston on July 14, 1896. He attended Boston Latin and went on to graduate from both Harvard College and Harvard Law School. Following his graduation from law school in 1921, he practiced in the Greater Boston area for 30 years. In 1927, he married Pearl Katz. Throughout his career, he specialized mainly in the areas of housing, fisheries, and labor law. In the 1930s and 1940s, he served as vice chairman and chairman of the Cambridge Housing Authority, as well as vice chairman of the Cambridge Committee for Plan E, which played a key role in the adoption of the city manager form of government. Wise also represented the Atlantic Fisherman’s Union of Boston for 25 years, and in the 1950s, as their lawyer, he helped draft legislation for a tariff on the importation of fish products with the revenue in turn being used towards research on fish resources and conservation. He also served as general counsel for the Cambridge Police Association from 1967 until his death, during which time he drafted and lobbied into legislation a law that gave Massachusetts police officers the right to bargain.

In 1942, Wise contacted the Institute of Jewish Affairs expressing an interest in becoming a member and provide any services he might be able to render them. The Institute was established in New York on February 1, 1941 as a co-operative effort between the American Jewish Congress and the World Jewish Congress. Its purpose was to examine Jewish life during the preceding 25 years, with the hope that it would give a better understanding to the situation of Jews at that time. Made up of scholars, the Institute of Jewish Affairs conducted scientific investigations geared toward explaining recent events surrounding Jews and to form a policy to protect Jewish rights post-war. Wise became a member of the Board of Trustees of the Institute of Jewish Affairs and worked to help the Institute further their reach beyond New York through his own connections in Boston, Ohio, and Texas.

Henry Wise also became an instructor and professor of law at numerous colleges in the Boston area, including law at Suffolk University, labor law at Wellesley College, and economics at the New York School for Social Research in New York City. He died on January 1, 1989 at the age of 92 at his home in Cambridge.

• 1896: Born in Boston’s South End on July 14th.
• 1918: Graduates from Harvard College.
• 1921: Graduates from Harvard Law School and subsequently begins practicing law in the Greater Boston area.
• 1927: Marries Pearl Katz.
• 1936 - 1941 : Serves as vice chairman and chairman of the Cambridge Housing Authority.
• 1938: Serves as vice chairman of the Cambridge Committee for Plan E.
• 1942: Becomes involved with Institute of Jewish Affairs, serving as a member for the Board of Trustees.
• 1950s: Works as a lawyer for the Atlantic Fisherman’s Union of Boston for 25 years.
• 1967: Serves as general counsel for the Cambridge Police Association until his death.
• 1989: Dies at his Cambridge home on January 1st.

From the guide to the Henry Wise, Papers, 1941-2010, (American Jewish Historical Society)