born Feb. 12, 1880, near Lucas, Iowa, U.S.
died June 11, 1969, Washington, D.C.
U.S. labour leader.
The son of Welsh immigrants, he became a coal miner at age 15. He rose through the ranks of the AFL-CIO ), Lewis and other dissident union heads founded the Congress of Industrial Organizations. As its president (1936–40), Lewis presided over the often-violent struggle to introduce unionism into previously unorganized industries such as steel and automobiles. See also William Green ; labour union ; {{link=Murray, Philip">Philip Murray .
John L. Lewis, 1963
AP/Wide World Photos