B&W photo of man, books, Strike poster

HOWARD ZINN 1922–2010

Howard Zinn (August 24, 1922–January 27, 2010) was a historian, author, professor, playwright, and activist.

Howard Zinn speaking at a peace rally • Date unknown

Biography

Zinn was a historian, playwright, and activist. His life’s work focused on a wide range of issues including race, class, war, and history, and touched the lives of many people.
Howard Zinn on the telephone • Photo by Paul Alan Smith • Date unknown

Articles & Interviews

In addition to writing books, Zinn wrote articles, had several columns, and participated in numerous interviews. Many of these are available here in print, audio, and video.
Howard Zinn at his typerwriter • Estate of Howard Zinn • Late 1970s

Bibliography

Zinn was the author of many books, including A People’s History of the United States, SNCC: The New Abolitionists, the play Emma, and his autobiography You Can’t Be Neutral on a Moving Train.

Featured News

Archive Notes: Howard Zinn’s Warmth, Compassion, and Humanizing of History

“In 2022–2023, I had the opportunity to spend three full weeks going through the Howard Zinn Papers housed at New York University’s Tamiment Library. . . . Being able to focus intensely on his correspondence crystallized how Zinn’s warmth, humor, and compassion draws in people who run across many segments of the population, and how he was a connector of people; he connected people to have the opportunities to tell their stories with those who could amplify them.”

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