Joel Spingarn was a part of the Civil Rights Movement.
Son of Elias Spingarn and Sarah Barnett; Husband of Amy Einstein.
Joel Spingarn was a collegiate professor at Columbia University, a politician who ran unsuccessfully for a seat in Congress and was also a delegate for the Progressive Party, but was most well known for his role in the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People).
He joined the NAACP shortly after its founding and was one of the first Jewish leaders of that organization. He was Chairman of the Board from 1913 to 1919, served as Treasurer from 1919 to 1930, and was President from 1930 to his death in 1939. He established the Spingarn Medal in 1914 which honors achievements by African Americans. When he served with the US Army during World War I, he successfully campaigned for a training camp for negro officers to be established in Des Moines, and about 1,000 officers were commissioned as a result. During his time in the Army, he was promoted to Colonel.
He married Amy Einstein and they had four children together: two boys and two girls. They lived in both Manhattan and in Amenia, New York. He died in 1939 after a long illness. He was 64 years old at the time of his passing. He is buried in the Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery in Poughkeepsie, New York [1][2].
The U.S. Postal Service issued a 42¢ stamp in his honor, jointly with J.R. Clifford, in 2009.[3]
"New York, New York City Births, 1846-1909," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:271M-FNY : 11 February 2018), Joel Elias Spingarn, 17 May 1875; citing Manhattan, New York, New York, United States, reference cn 159679 New York Municipal Archives, New York; FHL microfilm 1,322,090.
"United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MZXS-JSD : 7 September 2017), Joseph E Spingarn in household of Elias Spingarn, New York, New York, New York, United States; citing enumeration district ED 584, sheet 457B, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 0895; FHL microfilm 1,254,895.
"United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MSKK-GM5 : accessed 8 April 2018), Joel E Spingarn in household of Elias Spingarn, Borough of Manhattan, Election District 8 New York City Ward 29, New York County, New York, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 778, sheet 9A, family 146, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,241,115.
"United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M59Q-5WV : accessed 8 April 2018), Joel E Spingarn, Manhattan Ward 22, New York, New York, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 1304, sheet 6B, family 108, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 1045; FHL microfilm 1,375,058.
"United States Census, 1920," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MJYG-WP5 : accessed 8 April 2018), Joel Spingarn, Manhattan Assembly District 7, New York, New York, United States; citing ED 554, sheet 4A, line 1, family 49, NARA microfilm publication T625 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1992), roll 1197; FHL microfilm 1,821,197.
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