Selected Special Collections

Anarchism Collection

Anarchism publications prepared for U. S. foreign-language communities

In 1977 the Library acquired through exchange and purchase nearly fourteen hundred books, pamphlets, serial issues, and ephemeral items relating to the study of anarchy. These publications were printed between the 1850's and the 1970s primarily for the French-, German-, Italian-, Russian-, Spanish-, and Yiddish-speaking communities within the United States. While touching upon many political and social issues, the collection focuses on the history and philosophy of anarchism and the lives and writings of its major proponents. Of particular interest are pamphlets documenting the beliefs and activities of local organizations and short-lived movements.