Patrick Murphy Malin facts for kids

Patrick Murphy Malin (born in 1903, died December 13, 1964) was an important American activist. He worked to protect people's rights. He became the second leader of the American Civil Liberties Union, also known as the ACLU.

Patrick Malin's Early Life

Patrick Malin was born in 1903 in Joplin, Missouri. His father was a banker. From a young age, Patrick worked in his family's banking business. People thought he would become the bank's president one day.

But Patrick had different plans. Speeches by President Woodrow Wilson during World War I made him want to travel. He also wanted to work for the government. He went to the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School. He graduated at the top of his class in 1924.

Malin's Career Journey

After college, Patrick Malin worked for Sherwood Eddy. Eddy was a director for the International YMCA. Patrick was his private secretary from 1924 to 1929. During his first trip overseas, he met Caroline Biddle. They waited four years for her to finish college before getting married.

In 1930, Malin started teaching economics at Swarthmore College. He taught there for 20 years. During World War II, he took a break from teaching. He worked for the Intergovernmental Committee on Refugees in London. This group helped people who had to leave their homes because of the war.

Helping Refugees During World War II

In September 1940, President Franklin D. Roosevelt sent Malin on a special mission. He went to Norfolk, Virginia. A ship called the S.S. Quanza had stopped there to refuel. Many Jewish refugees were on board. Malin helped them get visas so they could enter the United States.

Leading the ACLU

Patrick Malin had been a member of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) since the 1920s. The ACLU is a group that works to protect the rights and freedoms of all Americans. He never thought he would work for them full-time. But then he was chosen to be their new leader.

Malin served as the ACLU's Executive Director for 12 years. During his time, many more people joined the organization. He also helped create the way the ACLU is set up today, with local chapters across the country.

Challenges as ACLU Leader

Some people felt the ACLU was not strong enough against Joseph McCarthy. McCarthy was a senator who made many accusations during the "Red Scare" period. This was a time when many Americans worried about communism.

Later Life and Legacy

In 1962, Malin left the ACLU. He moved to Istanbul, Turkey. There, he became the president of Robert College. This college is now called Boğaziçi University. Patrick Malin passed away in Istanbul on December 13, 1964.