George Backer | |
|---|---|
 Portrait by Converse Studiosc. 1930s | |
| Member of theNew York City Council fromManhattan At-Large | |
| In office December 6, 1938 – December 31, 1939 | |
| Preceded by | Baruch Charney Vladeck |
| Succeeded by | Multi-member district |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1902-01-18)January 18, 1902 |
| Died | May 1, 1974(1974-05-01) (aged 72) New York City, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic American Labor |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | Sarah-Ann,Pat |
| Education | University of Pennsylvania |
| Occupation | Journalist, politician |
George Backer Jr.[1] (January 18, 1902 – May 1, 1974) was a Jewish-American playwright, novelist, journalist and politician who published theNew York Post from 1939 to 1942 and served on theNew York City Council from 1938 to 1939, representingManhattan. From 1932 to 1943 he was married toDorothy Schiff, with whom he co-owned thePost.[2]
The son of aRussian emigrant who became a wealthy builder in Manhattan, Backer tried his hand at several careers before becoming a playwright and producing severalBroadway plays.[1] Although he spent most of his life as aDemocrat, he joined theAmerican Labor Party shortly after its founding and was its candidate forNew York's 17th congressional district in1937 and1938. After the death of City CouncilmanBaruch Charney Vladeck, Backer was chosen by the ALP to succeed him.[4] He was sworn in on December 6, 1938,[5] and served until the end of 1939. He did not run for re-election.
In the 1930s, Backer supportedFranklin D. Roosevelt in his election campaigns, and traveled toEurope on several occasions to helpJews fleeNazi Germany. DuringWorld War II, he served as propaganda policy director for theOffice of War Information.[2] In addition to his work with thePost, he served as president of the AmericanORT Federation from 1938 to 1950 (also succeeding Vladeck) and as president of theJewish Telegraphic Agency from 1935 to 1950.[6]
Backer died on May 1, 1974, inColumbia Presbyterian Medical Center in Manhattan.[2]
Media related toGeorge Backer at Wikimedia Commons