Robert W. Dunn

Robert Williams "Bob" Dunn (1895–1977) was an American political activist and economic researcher. Dunn was an active member of the American Civil Liberties Union from its creation, serving on that group's National Committee from 1923 and on its Board of Directors from 1933 to 1941. Dunn was the author of a number of books and pamphlets on economic themes relating to the working class published by the Communist Party USA.

Robert Williams "Bob" Dunn was born June 1, 1895, in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, the son of a lawyer. Raised as a Quaker, Bob Dunn attended elementary and secondary school in his hometown of Huntingdon before leaving to attend Yale University.

While at college, Dunn's pacifist philosophical beliefs moved into the political realm. Dunn was elected the President of the Collegiate Anti-Militarism League in 1916, holding that post until 1918. He was also elected President of the Yale chapter of the Intercollegiate Socialist Society in 1917.

After graduation from Yale with a Bachelor's degree in 1918, Dunn went to work for A.J. Muste as the secretary of Muste's Union for Democratic Control in Boston. He became the general organizer for Muste's nascent Amalgamated Textile Workers Union (ATWU) the following year. After a raid on ATWU headquarters during the First Red Scare, Dunn was briefly held on charges of conspiring to overthrow the government.

Shortly thereafter, Dunn became secretary for the New England Civil Liberties Bureau. Dunn also conducted research projects on behalf of the ATWU, served as a fellow for the New School for Social Research, and served as publicity director for the American Friends Service Committee.

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