Franklin Rosemont - T-Bone Slim research collection
Collection
Identifier: Midwest-MS-Rosemont-Slim
Scope and Content of the Collection
Original manuscript writings by noted IWW member T-Bone Slim with research notes, book drafts, and correspondence from Franklin Rosemont used to produce his book, “Juice is Stranger than Friction: Selected Writings of T-Bone Slim” (Charles H. Kerr Publishing Company, 1992). Rosemont corresponded with many members of the IWW, labor activists, and family members of T-Bone Slim to gather any information about his life. Research files include many photocopies of Slim’s columns in IWW publications.
Dates
- approximately 1923-1993
- Majority of material found within 1934 - 1993
Creator
- Rosemont, Franklin (Person)
Language
Materials are in English.
Conditions Governing Access
The Franklin Rosemont - T-Bone Slim research collection is open for research in the Special Collections Reading Room; 1 box at a time (Priority III).
Ownership and Literary Rights
The Franklin Rosemont - T-Bone Slim research collection is the physical property of the Newberry Library. Copyright may belong to the authors or their legal heirs or assigns. For permission to publish or reproduce any materials from this collection, contact the Roger and Julie Baskes Department of Special Collections at reference@newberry.org.
Biography of T-Bone Slim
Finnish American writer, song writer, humorist, hobo, and labor activist who played a prominent role in the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW).
Matti or Matt Valentinpoika Huhta was born around 1880 (possibly Feb. 14, 1882) in Ashtabula, Ohio to Finnish immigrants Matti and Johanna Huhta. He married Rosa Kotila with whom he had four children. At some point, his family lived in Pennsylvania and eventually Huhta left and had limited contact with them. By 1920, he became a member of the IWW and started writing for IWW publications under the pen name T-Bone Slim, or sometimes his membership card number, “Card No. 198308.” For two decades, readers of IWW publications recognized him as one of the Union's most noted columnist, with pieces in the Industrial Solidarity, the Industrial Worker, and Industrialisti. Additionally, he wrote songs that appeared in the IWW’s Little Red Songbook, including “The Popular Wobbly” and “Mysteries of a Hobo's Life.” He is also known for the poem “The Lumberjack's Prayer.” In addition to writing, Huhta worked as a laborer and on docks and barges around the country throughout the 1930s. On May 15, 1942, Huhta’s body was found in the Hudson River in New York and his death was ruled an accidental drowning.
Matti or Matt Valentinpoika Huhta was born around 1880 (possibly Feb. 14, 1882) in Ashtabula, Ohio to Finnish immigrants Matti and Johanna Huhta. He married Rosa Kotila with whom he had four children. At some point, his family lived in Pennsylvania and eventually Huhta left and had limited contact with them. By 1920, he became a member of the IWW and started writing for IWW publications under the pen name T-Bone Slim, or sometimes his membership card number, “Card No. 198308.” For two decades, readers of IWW publications recognized him as one of the Union's most noted columnist, with pieces in the Industrial Solidarity, the Industrial Worker, and Industrialisti. Additionally, he wrote songs that appeared in the IWW’s Little Red Songbook, including “The Popular Wobbly” and “Mysteries of a Hobo's Life.” He is also known for the poem “The Lumberjack's Prayer.” In addition to writing, Huhta worked as a laborer and on docks and barges around the country throughout the 1930s. On May 15, 1942, Huhta’s body was found in the Hudson River in New York and his death was ruled an accidental drowning.
Biography of Franklin Rosemont
American labor activist and surrealist, artist, historian, and writer.
A native of Chicago, Franklin Rosemont dedicated his life to art, scholarship, and political activism in support of labor and the American left. He was born October 2, 1943 to two labor activists, printer Henry Rosemont and jazz musician Sally Rosemont. He was a lifelong member of the IWW and co-founded of the Chicago Surrealist Group with his wife Penelope Rosemont in 1965. Throughout the 1960s he was also active in the Rebel Worker group, the Solidarity Bookshop, and Students for a Democratic Society. He was a managing editor of the Charles H. Kerr Publishing Company, the oldest radical and labor press in the United States, and wrote several books.
A native of Chicago, Franklin Rosemont dedicated his life to art, scholarship, and political activism in support of labor and the American left. He was born October 2, 1943 to two labor activists, printer Henry Rosemont and jazz musician Sally Rosemont. He was a lifelong member of the IWW and co-founded of the Chicago Surrealist Group with his wife Penelope Rosemont in 1965. Throughout the 1960s he was also active in the Rebel Worker group, the Solidarity Bookshop, and Students for a Democratic Society. He was a managing editor of the Charles H. Kerr Publishing Company, the oldest radical and labor press in the United States, and wrote several books.
Extent
0.8 Linear Feet (2 boxes)
Abstract
Original manuscript writings by noted IWW member T-Bone Slim with research notes, book drafts, and correspondence from Franklin Rosemont used to produce his book, “Juice is Stranger than Friction: Selected Writings of T-Bone Slim” (Charles H. Kerr Publishing Company, 1992).
Arrangement
Materials arranged alphabetically with T-Bone Slim manuscripts at the beginning and Rosemont’s research materials following.
Collection Stack Location
1 41 1
Provenance
Purchase, Beasley Books, 2017.
Separated Materials
"Juice is stranger than friction: selected writings of T-Bone Slim" edited and introduced by Franklin Rosemont (Charles H. Kerr Publishing Company, 1992) is separately cataloged as Case HD8055.I4 T2 1992.
Processed by
Catherine Grandgeorge, 2017.
Creator
- Rosemont, Franklin (Person)
- Title
- Inventory of the Franklin Rosemont - T-Bone Slim research collection, approximately 1923-1993, bulk 1934-1993
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Catherine Grandgeorge
- Date
- ©2017.
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the The Newberry Library - Modern Manuscripts Repository
Contact:
60 West Walton Street
Chicago Illinois 60610 United States
312-255-3512
reference@newberry.org
60 West Walton Street
Chicago Illinois 60610 United States
312-255-3512
reference@newberry.org