Edward K. Barsky

Edward K. "Eddie" Barsky (June 6, 1895 - February 11, 1975) was an American surgeon and political activist. Barsky is best remembered as the head of the Joint Anti-Fascist Refugee Committee, a Communist Party-sponsored organization which raised funds to aid refugees from the regime of Spanish strongman Francisco Franco in the late 1930s during the Spanish Civil War. In the 1950s Barsky became a cause célèbre as a victim of McCarthyism when he was imprisoned for refusing to provide information to the House Un-American Activities Committee.

Edward K. Barsky, known to his friends as "Eddie," was born in Manhattan, New York City on June 6, 1895. He attended the public schools of the city, graduating from Townsend Harris High School. He was the son of a surgeon at Beth Israel Hospital in New York City.

Barsky attended City College of New York and graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University in 1919. He began his own internship at Beth Israel Hospital in New York City in 1921.

Barsky was made an Associate Surgeon at Beth Israel Hospital in 1931.

Barsky sailed for Spain on January 16, 1937, arriving early the next month. There he served with the Republican Medical Service in various American Hospitals. Barsky returned to US from Spain to be appointed Surgeon General of International Sanitary Service.

After the defeat of the Republican force, Barsky returned to the USA, arriving in August 1938.

Barsky was called to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) on February 13, 1946, where he refused to turn over the books, ledgers, and other financial documents of the Joint Anti-Fascist Refugee Committee, as was demanded. As a result, Barsky was charged with Contempt of Congress and brought to trial for his willful defiance of Congressional subpoena.

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