William Z. Foster

William Z. Foster
Chairman of the Communist Party USA
In office
1945–1957
Preceded byEarl Browder
Succeeded byEugene Dennis
In office
1924–1934
Preceded byOffice established
Succeeded byEarl Browder
Personal details
Born
William Edward Foster

(1881-02-25)February 25, 1881
Taunton, Massachusetts, U.S.
DiedSeptember 1, 1961(1961-09-01) (aged 80)
Moscow, Soviet Union
Political partyCommunist Party USA
Other political
affiliations
Socialist Party of America
OccupationTrade union leader, politician

William Z. Foster (born William Edward Foster; February 25, 1881 – September 1, 1961) was a radical American labor organizer and Communist politician, whose career included serving as General Secretary of the Communist Party USA from 1945 to 1957. He was previously a member of the Socialist Party of America and the Industrial Workers of the World, leading the drive to organize packinghouse industry workers during World War I and the steel strike of 1919.[1]

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