Herrmann, Lewis M.

Lewis M. Herrmann played an integral role in the history of the School of Management and Labor Relations (SMLR), formerly known as the Institute of Management and Labor Relations (IMLR), of Rutgers University. Were it not for the tireless effort of Lewis M. Herrmann the SMLR would have had a much slower rate of growth and might not have ever become an institution of higher learning.

Herrmann was born in Romania on 4 February 1884 and came to the United States in 1895. (1) Throughout his eighty-one year life, Herrmann worked to ensure that workers were educated and united in their assorted professions. During World War I, Herrmann served as a sergeant in the infantry. Later in World War II, he headed the Special War Department mission in the South Pacific where he first met General Douglas MacArthur. Later he was the Post Commander of the American Legion, Post #104, and Commander, Atlantic County District of the American Legion. (2)

Herrmann's publishing career began in 1927 when he founded, edited, and published the Atlantic City News newspaper. While working on this newspaper he served five terms as the President of the Atlantic County Central Labor Union (AFL); was the President of the Press Club of Atlantic City for five years; and was the founder and Chairman of National [editorial] Headliners' Club for five years. After he sold his interest in the paper in 1938, he moved to Newark, New Jersey in 1939 where he took over as the editor and publisher of the New Jersey Labor Herald and ran it until his death in 1965. (3)

While at the New Jersey Labor Herald, Herrmann served as an organizer for the AFL and International Typographical Union. He also served as a representative for ten years on the Newark Typographical Union #103 as a delegate to the Essex Trades Council. Additionally, he was a delegate for forty-five years on the New Jersey State Federation of Labor, where he served as the Director of the Public Relations & Speakers' Bureau, 1940-1948. He also founded and was President of the Eastern Labor Press Conference for two terms. (4)

In November 1946, Herrmann was elected to the New Jersey Legislature from Essex County and served three terms before retiring in 1951. It was as a representative that Herrmann proposed Assembly Bill # 250, which sought to "promote harmony and co-operation between management and labor, and greater understanding of industrial and labor relations, thereby to enhance the unity and welfare of the people of the state." (5) It was with the passage of this bill that the IMLR was created. In addition to sponsoring the bill, Herrmann also helped to raise $600,000 for the construction of the Labor Education Center (LEC). As the result of all of his hard work, on January 9, 1965, the LEC was named after Herrmann. (6)

Throughout his professional career, Herrmann was honored with numerous accolades. In June 1954, Herrmann received an award of merit and was named the "Outstanding AFL man in New Jersey for 1954." Later, in December 1955 he was named by President Eisenhower to the US Small Business Administration. Herrmann was granted several honors by Rutgers University, one of which was in June 1960, when he was granted an honorary "Doctor of Humane Letters." (7)

During the same time, Herrmann served on many committees and councils which aided more than just workers. In addition to serving on the Rutgers Labor Education Center Alumni Association, he also served on the General Council of the IMLR. Similarly, he served on the Essex County two-year County College Commission. He also served on the Board of Governors on the Northern New Jersey Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Not much about Herrmann's personal life is known except that he was married and had a daughter and a grandson. (8) Much of his social life and friends appear to be related to his professional work associates.

Lewis M. Herrmann died on February 13, 1965. (9) Throughout his professional career, not limited to the time he worked with Rutgers, Herrmann was an integral force in labor education and research. As a result, the struggle between workers and employers is well documented and can be used as a framework for research to decrease the schism between labor and management.

(1) "Lewis Herrmann, Labor Aide, Dies," New York Times , 1965 February 15, n.p.

(2) Lewis M. Herrmann, Resume (1961 October 23), 1.

(3) Ibid.

(4) Lewis M. Herrmann, Resume, (1964 January), 1.

(5) New Jersey Assembly Bill #250, 1947 June 19.

(6) Eugene McElroy, "Establishment of the Institute of Management and Labor Relations," The Journal of the Rutgers University Libraries 57 (1995 December): 82.

(7) Herrmann, Resume, 1964, 2.

(8) Herrmann, Resume, 1961, 2.

(9) "Lewis Herrmann, Labor Aide, Dies:" n.p.

From the guide to the Guide to the Lewis M. Herrmann Papers, 1922-1967, bulk 1950-1965, (Rutgers University Libraries. Special Collections and University Archives)