Name Edward Barsky | ||
Edward K. "Eddie" Barsky (1897-1975) was an American surgeon and political activist. Barsky is best remembered as the head of the Joint Anti-Fascist Refugee Committee, a Communist Party-sponsored organization which raised funds to aid refugees from the regime of Spanish strongman Francisco Franco in the late 1930s during the Spanish Civil War. In the 1950s Barsky became a cause célèbre as a victim of McCarthyism when he was imprisoned for refusing to provide information to the House Un-American Activities Committee.
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Early years
Edward K. Barsky, known to his friends as "Eddie," was born in New York City on June 6, 1897. He attended the public schools of the city, graduating from Townsend Harris High School. He was the son of a surgeon at Beth Israel Hospital in New York City.
Barsky attended City College of New York and graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University in 1919. He began his own internship at Beth Israel Hospital in New York City in 1921.
Medical career
Barsky was made an Associate Surgeon at Beth Israel Hospital in 1931.
Spanish activities
Barsky sailed for Spain on January 16, 1937, arriving early the next month. There he served with the Republican Medical Service in various American Hospitals. Barsky returned to US from Spain to be appointed Surgeon General of International Sanitary Service.
After the defeat of the Republican force, Barsky returned to the USA, arriving in August 1938.
Pre-McCarthy period
Barsky was called to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) on February 13, 1946, where he refused to turn over the books, ledgers, and other financial documents of the Joint Anti-Fascist Refugee Committee, as was demanded. As a result, Barsky was charged with Contempt of Congress and brought to trial for his willful defiance of Congressional subpoena.
Death and legacy
Edward Barsky died on February 11, 1975 in New York City.
Barsky's papers are housed as part of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives at Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Archives at New York University in New York City. The Barsky material encompasses 2.5 linear feet of material, housed in five archival boxes, and is open to researchers without restriction. Included in this material is an undated manuscript of a memoir by Barsky entitled "Someone Had to Help."