Benjamin J. Davis, Jr. Pillow

Benjamin Jefferson "Ben" Davis, Jr. (September 8, 1903 – August 22, 1964), was an African-American lawyer and communist who was elected to the city council of New York City, representing Harlem, in 1943. He faced increasing opposition from outside Harlem after the end of World War II, and in 1951 was convicted of violating the Smith Act and sentenced to five years in prison. Ben Davis died of lung cancer in New York City on August 22, 1964. He was less than one month shy of his 61st birthday at the time of his death and was in the midst of a campaign for New York State Senate on the People's Party ticket. While in prison, Davis had written notes for a memoir. These were confiscated by prison authorities and not released until after...