John L. Lewis

Activist

Birthday February 12, 1880

Birth Sign Aquarius

Birthplace Iowa

DEATH DATE Jun 11, 1969 (89)

#231,030 Most Popular

About

Leader of the United Mine Workers Association who led his union's fight for better living and working standards.

Before Fame

After rising to the leadership post of the UMWA in 1920, he established its Welfare and Retirement Fund, a landmark agreement with the federal government signed by the president of the U.S. himself.

Trivia

He led the organization of America's industrial workers in to the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO), and several other prominent unions.

Family Life

He was born in Lucas, Iowa and was the son of Welsh immigrants.

Associated With

Leonard Woodcock was a leader of America's other large trade union, the United Auto Workers.