Roman Lewis

Roman Lewis was a Russian-born anarchist and lawyer who played a significant role in the anarchist movement in New York. Born in 1864, Lewis was fluent in Russian and Yiddish, which enabled him to connect with the Jewish community in the city. He became the first editor of the Yiddish-language anarchist newspaper Fraye Arbeter Shtime, using his position to promote anarchist ideals. Lewis was also an skilled orator and was known for his powerful speeches, earning him recognition as one of the best speakers of the Pioneers of Liberty.

Lewis's involvement in the anarchist movement was not limited to his work as an editor and speaker. He was also actively engaged in Jewish union rallies, where he would often speak to crowds of workers. However, his political views later shifted, and he became a Social-Democrat. Lewis went on to attend law school in Chicago, where he settled and began a new career in law. He was elected as an assistant district attorney in Chicago as a Democrat, marking a significant departure from his earlier anarchist beliefs. Tragically, Lewis's life came to an end in 1918, when he committed suicide in Cincinnati at the age of 54.