Abe Epstein

For the scholar, see Abraham Epstein.

Abraham Epstein (April 20, 1892 – May 2, 1942) was a Russian-born American lecturer and activist. He championed social security and was a major figure in its enactment into law in the United States.

Biography

Epstein was born on April 20, 1892, in Lyuban, Russian Empire, to Jews[1] Leon and Bessie Levovitz Epstein.[2][3] He read a lot as a child, including banned socialist authors Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, which he had access to due to his library being in a rural town.[1] He abandoned home and travelled to Liepāja,[1] and in 1910, he immigrated to the United States; a newspaper later described him at this time as "poor as a mouse in a synagogue".[4] He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1917 and continued his studies at Columbia University until 1931.[2][3]

In 1918, Epstein joined the Pennsylvania Commission on Old Age Pensions (PCOAP) for six years, and later the Fraternal Order of Eagles.[3] With the PCOAP, he introduced the first social security bill in the United States to the Pennsylvania General Assembly in 1921.[2] He wrote the books Facing Old Age and Insecurity – a Challenge to America, which advocated for social security.[2] Time called him "the strongest single influence in the U.S. on the trend of public opinion toward the adoption of social security legislation".[5]

Epstein argued for social security nonpartisanly and believed that the facts and statistics would change opinions.[4] On July 22, 1927, he established the American Association for Social Security, a social security advocacy group[6] which in 1933, renamed itself to the American Association for Social Security.[7] The group was a figure in the enactment of the Social Security Act in 1935. Though, Epstein disagreed with the law's restrictions and continued to advocate for more social safety nets.[2][4]

Epstein was also a lecturer at Brooklyn College and New York University.[3]

In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, his son, Pierre, described Epstein as a "little man with a high-pitched voice, heavy accent and thick spectacles".[7] He was married to Henriette Epstein. He died on May 2, 1942, aged 50, in New York City.[2] Since 1985, his papers have been held by the University of Michigan.[3] In his legacy, he has been noted as a forgotten figure.[6][8]

References

  1. ^ a b c Epstein, Pierre (2006). Abraham Epstein: The Forgotten Father of Social Security. University of Missouri Press. pp. 24, 26. ISBN 978-0-8262-6545-6.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Abraham Epstein is Dead at 50". The New York Times. 3 May 1942. p. 53. Retrieved 2026-01-28.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Abraham and Henrietta Epstein Papers". Retrieved 2026-01-28.
  4. ^ a b c "Abe Epstein – Father of Social Security". The Daily Gazette. 13 August 1955. p. 17. Retrieved 2026-01-28.
  5. ^ "Milestones". Time. 11 May 1942. Retrieved 2026-01-28.
  6. ^ a b Blanshard, Paul (9 January 1978). "Making the 'Last of Life' a Little Better". Tampa Bay Times. p. 11. Retrieved 2026-01-28.
  7. ^ a b Epstein, Pierre (2007-02-16). "My Dad, a father of Social Security". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2026-01-29.
  8. ^ "Two of Social Security's Forgotten Heroes". The New York Times. 8 September 1985. p. 24. Retrieved 2026-01-28.
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