Max Eastman
Max Eastman (1883-1969) was a prominent American writer, poet, and social activist known for his fervent support of socialist and later, anti-communist ideas. Born in Canandaigua, New York, Eastman attended Williams College and earned a master's degree in philosophy from Columbia University. He became an influential figure in the early 20th-century intellectual circles, co-editing the radical magazine "The Masses" which championed progressive causes, labor rights, and women's suffrage until it was shut down by the government in 1917 under the Espionage Act.
Eastman’s intellectual journey saw him initially embracing socialism and making multiple trips to the Soviet Union, where he met Lenin and Trotsky. Disillusioned by the tyranny he observed under Stalin, he gradually shifted his stance to become a staunch anti-communist. He critically examined leftist ideologies in books such as "Reflections on the Failure of Socialism."
An articulate and persuasive speaker, Eastman contributed to various publications including "The Liberator," "The Freeman," and later, "Reader's Digest". His breadth of work from poetry to political critique made him a multifaceted figure in American literature and thought. Despite controversies surrounding his ideological transformations, Max Eastman's legacy remains that of a dynamic and relentless advocate for human rights and intellectual freedom.
At the Aquarium
Stern-lipped, and pale, and wonder-eyed!
As through the aged deeps…