Joseph Sharts facts for kids
Joseph William Sharts (1875-1965) was an American lawyer, political activist, newspaper editor, and writer. He is best known as a popular writer of novels in the early 1900s. He was also a defense lawyer in many important political trials. These included cases for famous figures like Socialist Party leader Eugene V. Debs and future Communist Party leader C. E. Ruthenberg.
Sharts was a key leader of the Socialist Party of America. He served on their main governing committee, the National Executive Committee, from 1925 to 1932. He also ran three times to become the Governor of Ohio for the Socialist Party.
Contents
Biography
Joseph Sharts's Early Life
Joseph Sharts was born on September 14, 1875, in Hamilton, Ohio. His father was also a lawyer. When Joseph was a young boy, his family moved to Dayton, Ohio. He went to public school in Dayton and graduated from high school there.
After high school, Sharts went to Harvard College. He finished his studies and graduated in 1897.
Sharts as a Novelist
Joseph Sharts became known for writing popular stories. His first book, Ezra Caine, was published in 1900. Between 1900 and 1913, he published six novels. These books were mostly light romantic stories. In them, the main characters faced challenges but always found true love and a happy ending.
Critics praised Sharts's writing for being well-done. However, some felt his plots were not very original or imaginative.
Joseph Sharts, the Attorney
Joseph Sharts graduated from Harvard Law School. He became a lawyer and worked on many important political cases. These cases took place in the late 1910s and through the 1920s. During World War I, he defended people accused of breaking laws like the Espionage Act. One of his most famous cases was helping to defend the Socialist Party leader Eugene V. Debs. Earlier, in 1917, he led the defense for future Communist Party leaders C. E. Ruthenberg, Alfred Wagenknecht, and Charles Baker. They were also accused of breaking the Espionage Act in Ohio.
Even though Sharts was not a Communist himself, he often represented Communists in court. For example, in 1920, he worked on a case for the Communist Labor Party of America. They sued the American Legion for damage to one of their offices during a crowd action.
Sharts as a Socialist Activist
In the early 1920s, Joseph Sharts was the publisher and editor of The Miami Valley Socialist. This was a weekly newspaper that shared political news and the ideas of the Socialist Party of America (SPA). Through this work, he helped to rebuild the Socialist Party of Ohio. The party had been greatly weakened after a split in 1919 when some members left to form new Communist groups.
Sharts was a member of the Socialist Party's National Executive Committee from 1925 to 1932. Before that, he was part of the Conference for Progressive Political Action (CPPA). This group existed from 1922 to 1925 and explored the idea of creating a labor party.
In 1920, Sharts ran for Ohio Attorney General. He later ran for Governor of Ohio three times. He was the Socialist Party's candidate in Ohio in 1926, 1928, and 1932. His best election result was in his last race for governor. He received just over 1.25% of all the votes.
In 1924, Sharts played a major role in the trial of William Montgomery Brown. Brown was an Episcopal bishop from Massillon, Ohio, who supported the Communist Party. Sharts defended him in his trial for heresy.
Joseph Sharts was well-liked within the Socialist Party. He was even considered as a possible candidate for President of the United States at the Socialist Party's 1928 convention in New York City.
Later Years and Passing
Joseph Sharts was a Freemason, which is a member of a fraternal organization. He was also a member of the United Spanish War Veterans.
Joseph Sharts passed away on May 15, 1965, in Dayton, Ohio. He was 89 years old when he died.
Works
Here are some of the books and writings by Joseph Sharts:
- The Hills of Freedom. Doubleday, Page & Co., 1904.
- The Vintage. New York: Duffield and Co., 1911. (This book was called The Red Vintage in Great Britain.)
- Guilty? Of What? Speeches Before the Jury in Connection with the Trial of C.E. Ruthenberg, Alfred Wagenknecht, Charles Baker. With C.E. Ruthenberg, Alfred Wagenknecht, and Charles Baker. Cleveland, OH: Local Cleveland, Socialist Party, n.d. [1917].
- An Open Letter to You, President Wilson. New York: Workers Defense Union, 1919.
- Bishop Brown's Case: A Speech by Joseph W. Sharts, Attorney at Law, Dayton, Ohio. New York : Morris R. Lukens, 1925.
- Pure Milk and the Future of the Dairy Industry: Address by Mr. Joseph W. Sharts, March 8, 1929, Hotel Sherman, Chicago, Illinois. Chicago: American Medical Liberty League, 1929.
