Lyndon LaRouche

Lyndon Hermyle LaRouche, Jr. (born September 8, 1922) is an American political activist and founder of various political organizations in the United States and elsewhere.

1922–1947 Early life

LaRouche, the son of Lyndon H. LaRouche, Sr. and Jessie Weir LaRouche, was born September 8, 1922, in Rochester, New Hampshire. In 1936 the family moved to Lynn, Massachusetts, where his father, an immigrant from Quebec, was a shoe salesman. He grew up speaking French and German, as well as English. The LaRouche family belonged to the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). By 1940 the congregation was discussing censuring him for spreading libelous material about other members and in 1941 the Lynn Meeting voted to "disown" Lyndon LaRouche, removing him from the group. His family all resigned in sympathy.

Related Topics:
September 8 - 1922 - Rochester, New Hampshire - 1936 - Lynn, Massachusetts - Quebec - French - German - Religious Society of Friends - 1940

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LaRouche enrolled at Northeastern University in Boston, but dropped out in 1942. As a Quaker, he was at first a conscientious objector during World War II, but in 1944 he joined the United States Army, serving in medical units in India and Burma. During this period, he read works by Karl Marx and became a Marxist. While travelling home from India on the troop ship SS General Bradley in 1946, he met Don Merrill, a fellow soldier, who was also from Lynn. Merrill won LaRouche over to Trotskyism on the journey home. Back in the United States, LaRouche attempted to resume his university education, but again dropped out of Northeastern.

Related Topics:
Northeastern University - Boston - 1942 - Conscientious objector - World War II - 1944 - United States Army - India - Burma - Karl Marx - Marxist - 1946 - Trotskyism

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