Harry Clairmont fonds

Physical Description: 50 cm of textual records; 48 photographs : b&w ; 25 x 103 cm or smaller

Admin History/Bio: Harry Wolf Clairmont (1907-1977) was a Toronto labour activist, involved for many years in the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union (ILGWU). Clairmont was born in Chmielnik, in the province of Kielce, Poland, and moved to Canada in December, 1923. He began working in the garment industry as an operator's helper at the J. and G. Cloak Shop in Toronto, and soon became involved in the labour movement and the ILGWU. Claimont held many positions with the ILGWU, including recording secretary of the Operators' Local 14 and business agent of Sportswear Local 199. He was also an active member of the Jewish Workers' National Alliance, the Young Communist League and the Canadian Trotskyist movement. He was married and had two children. He passed away in 1977.

Scope and Content: The fonds documents Harry Clairmont's involvement in the Canadian labour movement, as well as his interest in socialism and communism. Included are publications of the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union, the Arbeiter Club, the Communist League of America, and the Revolutionary Workers' Party, and records relating to Clairmont's involvement in these organizations and union locals. These records include correspondence, membership cards, pamphlets, clippings, newsletters, anniversary books, bulletins, journals, speeches, financial reports, minute books, and photographs. The small notebook, which only has a few filled page, consists of minutes from the meetings of the Unzer Kamf Worker's Club. The larger notebook, which is completely full, consists of minutes from the meetings of "Local 14." The first page of the latter (starting from the Yiddish side) is a list of the executive in English.

Physical Condition: Most records are in good condition.; Several photographs have been rolled and cannot be flattened.; One photograph is partially attached to glass and will need to be separated by a conservator.

Accession Number: 1979-11-18; 1984-1-6; 2004-6-3; 1998-3-7 [old accession #]