Interview with Maurice Rosenblatt, August 11, 1993

Interview Summary

Maurice Rosenblatt, who met Cooper through his work with Jewish displaced persons, begins the interview by describing his background and career. Rosenblatt discusses the owners of the New York Times in the late nineteenth century and the early twentieth century. Additionally, Rosenblatt explains why the New York Times refused to cover widespread incidents of anti-Semitism in New York City during the 1930s. Rosenblatt characterizes the political atmosphere present in 1930s New York City. The interviewee recalls his work in journalism and military service during World War II. Rosenblatt illustrates his involvement in Jewish displaced persons work, which was how he got to know Cooper. Cooper's role in helping displaced persons in Germany is explored. Cooper's first wife is also mentioned. Rosenblatt articulates his work with the National Committee for an Effective Congress and how the organization collaborated with the Cooper campaign in the 1950s and 1960s. Rosenblatt recalls his impressions of Lorraine Cooper. Rosenblatt highlights his work on Cooper's political campaigns in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Rosenblatt also talks of former Kentucky Governor Ned Breathitt. Rosenblatt reflects upon the events leading up to McCarthy's censure in the Senate, including Cooper's role in the process. Possible interviewees for this project are discussed. Rosenblatt characterizes Senate dynamics and scandals in the 1950s. Rosenblatt also describes Cooper's second marriage. Cooper's personality is examined. Abraham Lincoln's political strengths are evaluated. To conclude the interview, Rosenblatt shares a quick story about Cooper's hearing issues towards the end of his life.

Interview Keyword

John Sherman Cooper Senators Senate Jewish people Adolph Ochs Punch Sulzberger Arthur Hays Sulzberger Iphigene Ochs Sulzberger Charles Coughlin Coughlin Movement Displaced persons Franklin D. Roosevelt Hebrew Committee of National Liberation Lorraine Cooper Political campaigns Ned Breathitt Joseph McCarthy Censure J. Lister Hill Mike Mansfield Margaret Chase Smith Great Depression Abraham Lincoln Thruston Morton World War II

Interview LC Subject

Cooper, John Sherman, 1901-1991 Politicians Politicians--United States Politics and government Rosenblatt, Maurice Rosenblatt, Maurice--Interviews United States--Politics and government Washington (D.C.) New York (N.Y.) Jews Wisconsin University of Wisconsin Anti-Semitism Irish people Catholics Anti-Catholicism Racism Depressions--1929 New York Times Nativism Isolationism Labor movement Labor unions World War, 1939-1945 Palestine Germany Bavaria (Germany) National Committee for an Effective Congress Marriage Divorce Fort Custer (Mich.) Pennsylvania Personality Prejudice Discrimination

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.