Knowles, Mary, 1910-

Overview

Contains the records of American Friends Service Committee, Committee on Rights of Conscience, 1955-1962, including minutes and other supporting documents. Persons represented include Faith Bissell, Miriam E. Brailey, Harrop Freeman, Frederick Fuges, Alan Howe, Mary Knowles, Patrick M. Malin, Roland Pennock, Sara Pickus, Harry B. Sprogell, Frederick B. Tolles, and John T. Watkins.

Overview Mary Knowles (b. 1910), a librarian at the William Jeanes Memorial Library in Plymouth, Pennsylvania, and Plymouth Monthly Meeting were the center of a “Red Scare” controversy in 1953-56 when Mrs. Knowles was accused of being a member of the Communist Party. Mary Knowles had pleaded the Fifth Amendment in 1953 before the Jenner Committee (Senate Internal Security Subcommittee) regarding her employment as secretary at the Samuel Adams School in Boston Mass. When she refused to take the...