August Becker (socialist)
- This article is about the German socialist. For others sharing this name see August Becker (disambiguation).
August Becker (c. 1810–1875) was a German political activist, politician, and journalist. Becker was a member of the legislature of the German state of Hesse. In his later years he emigrated to the United States of America, where he worked as a journalist until the time of his death.
Biography
Early years
August Becker was born sometime around 1810 in Germany, the son of a clergyman.[1] In his youth he studied theology for a brief time before being introduced to socialist ideas and turning his activity towards that realm.[1]
Political career
Becker's political activity brought him into conflict with the law, and he was subsequently arrested and imprisoned for four years.[1] Following his release, Becker emigrated to Geneva, Switzerland, where he published political pamphlets as well as articles for the radical press.[1] Among those papers for which he wrote were the Renische Zeitung and the Vorwartz.[1]
With the eruption of the Revolutions of 1848, Becker returned to Germany.[1] There he published a political journal and was elected a member of the parliament for the Central German state of Hesse.[1]
Emigration
With the fall of the 1848 revolution, the "Red '48-er" Becker emigrated to the United States of America.[1] He ultimately moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he worked as a journalist until his death in 1875.[1]
Footnotes
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 William D.P. Bliss (ed.), "August Becker," The New Encyclopedia of Social Reform, Including All Social-Reform Movements and Activities, and the Economic, Industrial, and Sociological Facts and Statistics of All Countries and All Social Subjects. New Edition. New York: Funk and Wagnalls Co., 1908; pg. 102.
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