David Edelstadt
Encyclopedia
David Edelstadt was a Jewish-Russia
n-American
anarchist
poet
of Yiddish language.
. He was deeply affected by the life of his father, who was required by force to serve in the Tsar
’s army for 25 years. This type of conscription in the Russian army was typical of the Imperial regime, and was often used against Jews (see Cantonist
). David was educated in Russian language and literature; he published his first poem in Russian at the age of 12.
In 1882 at the age of 15, David emigrated to the United States
after escaping the Kiev
pogrom
of May 8, 1881. He settled in New York City
, where he became involved in the developing anarchist movement. He participated in the first Jewish anarchist group in New York, The Pioneers of Liberty (Pionire der Frayhayt). The group was created after the arrest of the (later to be) Chicago
Haymarket martyrs, then a group of anarchist labor organizers working for the 8-hour day. The first dozen workers who initially set the group were later joined by Edelstadt and other gifted writers and speakers – Saul Yanovsky
, Roman Lewis, Hillel Solotaroff, Moshe Katz, and JA Maryson.
Edelstadt and the others held meetings, sponsored rallies and raised funds to help the Chicago anarchists. The Pioneers organised a ball on the Lower East Side which raised $100, which was then sent to the families of the defendants. They began to spread anarchist propaganda among the Jewish immigrants, who were arriving in the States in increasing numbers. They set up a club on brought out literature in Yiddish, including a pamphlet on the Haymarket case.
The intense propaganda led to the establishment of anarchist circles in other towns – Baltimore
, Boston
, Philadelphia and Providence
. Edelstadt and others travelled to Philadelphia to deliver talks. The group kept in touch with the Jewish anarchists in London
, and Edelstadt contributed to the London Yiddish anarchist paper Arbeiter Fraynd (Workers’ Friend).
David was the third chief editor of the Freie Arbeiter Stimme
(Free Voice of Labor). He set up various columns and features, which contributed to its popular success. He produced a series of tribute poems to the executed Chicago anarchists.
A buttonhole-maker by trade, the bad conditions in the sweatshops and the tenements led to his contracting tuberculosis
and he was forced to quit his post in October 1891. He moved to Denver for a cure. Although he continued to send poems to the paper, the end was near. He died there on 17 October 1892 at the age of 26. In the next few years, Edelstadt cultural groups sprang up in Chicago, Boston and other cities.
David Edelstadt is buried in Golden Hill Cemetery near W. Colfax Avenue in Golden, Colorado.
In Argentina
many years later, Jewish anarchists named their cultural circle in Buenos Aires
after him.
The Freie Arbeiter Stimme
said of him: "David Edelstadt, a fine idealistic nature, a spiritual petrel whose songs of revolt were beloved by every Yiddish-speaking radical."
A world where no one shall govern
over another's labor and toil
Every heart and mind shall be free
that is anarchy
A world where freedom will bring fortune for all
the weak the strong the 'he' the 'she'
where "yours" and "mine" will oppress none
that is anarchy
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n-American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
anarchist
Anarchism
Anarchism is generally defined as the political philosophy which holds the state to be undesirable, unnecessary, and harmful, or alternatively as opposing authority in the conduct of human relations...
poet
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
of Yiddish language.
Biography
David Edelstadt was born on 9 May 1866 in RussiaRussia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
. He was deeply affected by the life of his father, who was required by force to serve in the Tsar
Tsar
Tsar is a title used to designate certain European Slavic monarchs or supreme rulers. As a system of government in the Tsardom of Russia and Russian Empire, it is known as Tsarist autocracy, or Tsarism...
’s army for 25 years. This type of conscription in the Russian army was typical of the Imperial regime, and was often used against Jews (see Cantonist
Cantonist
Cantonists were underage sons of Russian conscripts who from 1721 were educated in special "canton schools" for future military service .-Cantonist schools during the 18th and early 19th centuries:Cantonist...
). David was educated in Russian language and literature; he published his first poem in Russian at the age of 12.
In 1882 at the age of 15, David emigrated to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
after escaping the Kiev
Kiev
Kiev or Kyiv is the capital and the largest city of Ukraine, located in the north central part of the country on the Dnieper River. The population as of the 2001 census was 2,611,300. However, higher numbers have been cited in the press....
pogrom
Pogrom
A pogrom is a form of violent riot, a mob attack directed against a minority group, and characterized by killings and destruction of their homes and properties, businesses, and religious centres...
of May 8, 1881. He settled in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, where he became involved in the developing anarchist movement. He participated in the first Jewish anarchist group in New York, The Pioneers of Liberty (Pionire der Frayhayt). The group was created after the arrest of the (later to be) Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
Haymarket martyrs, then a group of anarchist labor organizers working for the 8-hour day. The first dozen workers who initially set the group were later joined by Edelstadt and other gifted writers and speakers – Saul Yanovsky
Saul Yanovsky
Saul Yanovsky was an American Jewish anarchist and activist. He is best remembered as the editor of the periodicals Freie Arbeiter Stimme , Di Abend Tsaytung and Di Fraye Gezellstaft .- References :...
, Roman Lewis, Hillel Solotaroff, Moshe Katz, and JA Maryson.
Edelstadt and the others held meetings, sponsored rallies and raised funds to help the Chicago anarchists. The Pioneers organised a ball on the Lower East Side which raised $100, which was then sent to the families of the defendants. They began to spread anarchist propaganda among the Jewish immigrants, who were arriving in the States in increasing numbers. They set up a club on brought out literature in Yiddish, including a pamphlet on the Haymarket case.
The intense propaganda led to the establishment of anarchist circles in other towns – Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
, Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Philadelphia and Providence
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
. Edelstadt and others travelled to Philadelphia to deliver talks. The group kept in touch with the Jewish anarchists in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, and Edelstadt contributed to the London Yiddish anarchist paper Arbeiter Fraynd (Workers’ Friend).
David was the third chief editor of the Freie Arbeiter Stimme
Freie Arbeiter Stimme
The Freie Arbeiter Stimme was the longest-running anarchist periodical in the Yiddish language, founded initially as an American counterpart to Rudolf Rocker's London-based Arbeter Fraynd . The early Yiddish spelling, פֿרייע אַרבייטער שטיממע , reflects the early 20th century fashion to Germanize...
(Free Voice of Labor). He set up various columns and features, which contributed to its popular success. He produced a series of tribute poems to the executed Chicago anarchists.
A buttonhole-maker by trade, the bad conditions in the sweatshops and the tenements led to his contracting tuberculosis
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
and he was forced to quit his post in October 1891. He moved to Denver for a cure. Although he continued to send poems to the paper, the end was near. He died there on 17 October 1892 at the age of 26. In the next few years, Edelstadt cultural groups sprang up in Chicago, Boston and other cities.
David Edelstadt is buried in Golden Hill Cemetery near W. Colfax Avenue in Golden, Colorado.
In Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
many years later, Jewish anarchists named their cultural circle in Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent...
after him.
The Freie Arbeiter Stimme
Freie Arbeiter Stimme
The Freie Arbeiter Stimme was the longest-running anarchist periodical in the Yiddish language, founded initially as an American counterpart to Rudolf Rocker's London-based Arbeter Fraynd . The early Yiddish spelling, פֿרייע אַרבייטער שטיממע , reflects the early 20th century fashion to Germanize...
said of him: "David Edelstadt, a fine idealistic nature, a spiritual petrel whose songs of revolt were beloved by every Yiddish-speaking radical."
Quotes
"That Is Anarchy" by David EdelstatA world where no one shall govern
over another's labor and toil
Every heart and mind shall be free
that is anarchy
A world where freedom will bring fortune for all
the weak the strong the 'he' the 'she'
where "yours" and "mine" will oppress none
that is anarchy
External links
- This page is partly work by libcom.org (libcom.org/history: Edelstadt, David, 1866-1892 )