William Z. Foster

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William Z. Foster
Chairman of the Communist Party USA
In office July 29, 1945 – February 12, 1957
Preceded by	Earl Browder
Succeeded by	Eugene Dennis
In office 1924–1934
Preceded by	Office established
Succeeded by	Earl Browder
Personal details
Born	William Edward Foster (1881-02-25)February 25, 1881 Taunton, Massachusetts, U.S.
Died	September 1, 1961(1961-09-01) (aged 80) Moscow, Soviet Union
Political party	Communist Party USA
Other political affiliations	Socialist Party of America
Occupation	Trade union leader, politician

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William Z. Foster (born William Edward Foster; February 25, 1881 – September 1, 1961) was a radical American labor organizer and Communist politician, whose career included serving as General Secretary of the Communist Party USA from 1945 to 1957. He was previously a member of the Socialist Party of America and the Industrial Workers of the World, leading the drive to organize packinghouse industry workers during World War I and the steel strike of 1919.^[1]