Stanley Levison

Stanley David Levison (1912 - 1979) was a Jewish businessman from New York, who had also attained a law degree from St. John's University. He was a life-long activist in progressive causes. He is best known as an advisor to, and close friend of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., whom he helped write speeches and organize events. He had initially been introduced to King by Bayard Rustin, a former member of the youth arm of the CPUSA, in New York Cit... more

Stanley David Levison (1912 - 1979) was a Jewish businessman from New York, who had also attained a law degree from St. John's University. He was a life-long activist in progressive causes. He is best known as an advisor to, and close friend of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., whom he helped write speeches and organize events. He had initially been introduced to King by Bayard Rustin, a former member of the youth arm of the CPUSA, in New York City in 1956. Though King had offered to pay Levison in exchange for his help, Levison refused on every occasion stating that "the liberation struggle is the most positive and rewarding area of work anyone could experience". Levison was in the leadership of the Communist Party USA in the 1950s. The FBI had him under the surveillance of Jack and Morris Childs, two former CPUSA members who became FBI informants. According to the FBI, Levison's CPUSA activities ended in 1957. He was questioned twice, on February 9 and March 4, 1960. Two years later,... less