Max Eastman

Max Forrester Eastman (January 4, 1883 – March 25, 1969) was an American writer, poet, and political activist. Known for his shifting political ideologies, Eastman was an early socialist and Marxist who later became a staunch anti-communist and advocate for free-market capitalism. His work as an editor, essayist, and critic played a significant role in shaping American intellectual and political thought during the 20th century.

Early Life and Education

Max Eastman was born in Canandaigua, New York, on January 4, 1883, to Samuel Elijah Eastman, a Congregational minister, and Annis Bertha Ford, a prominent suffragist. Raised in a progressive household, Eastman was encouraged to question authority and engage with political ideas. He attended Williams College, graduating in 1905, and later earned a master’s degree in philosophy from Columbia University in 1910. At Columbia, Eastman studied under the pragmatist philosopher John Dewey, whose ideas influenced his early political development.

Socialist Activism and "The Masses"

Eastman became a leading figure in the American socialist movement in the early 20th century. In 1913, he became editor of the radical magazine The Masses, which combined political commentary with avant-garde art and literature. Under his leadership, The Masses promoted socialist ideals, labor rights, and anti-war activism. The magazine faced legal challenges under the Espionage Act of 1917, leading to its closure in 1918 after Eastman and other contributors were prosecuted for their anti-war writings. Though acquitted, Eastman’s experience with government censorship solidified his commitment to free speech.

In 1919, Eastman and his sister Crystal Eastman founded The Liberator, a successor to The Masses, which continued to advocate for socialism and revolutionary change. The magazine published works by notable writers, including Langston Hughes and John Dos Passos.

Shift to Anti-Communism

Eastman’s political views began to change in the 1920s after traveling to the Soviet Union and witnessing the realities of Bolshevik rule. Disillusioned by Joseph Stalin’s authoritarianism and the suppression of dissent, Eastman became an outspoken critic of communism. In his book Since Lenin Died (1925), he revealed the political machinations behind Stalin’s rise to power and Lenin’s critical views of Stalin, which he claimed were suppressed by the Soviet regime.

By the 1930s, Eastman had fully abandoned socialism, aligning himself with the anti-communist movement. He became a contributor to conservative publications, including National Review, and championed individual liberty, free markets, and democratic institutions.

Literary and Philosophical Contributions

In addition to his political writings, Eastman was a prolific literary critic and translator. He translated key works by Marx and Lenin into English, including Capital and State and Revolution. Eastman also wrote extensively on philosophy, psychology, and aesthetics.

Eastman’s autobiography, Love and Revolution (1964), chronicled his ideological journey and offered insights into his relationships with left-wing intellectuals of his time, including John Dewey, Bertrand Russell, and Leon Trotsky.

Personal Life

Eastman married three times and had a reputation for his charm and wit. His second wife, Eliena Krylenko, was a Russian revolutionary who shared his initial enthusiasm for socialism but later joined him in opposing communism. Eastman spent his later years on his farm in New York’s Hudson Valley, where he continued to write and reflect on his life.

Legacy

Max Eastman’s intellectual journey from socialism to anti-communism made him a controversial and influential figure. He is remembered for his courage in challenging both capitalist and communist orthodoxies and for his commitment to intellectual honesty and free expression.

Selected Works

• Enjoyment of Poetry (1913)
• Since Lenin Died (1925)
• Marxism: Is It Science? (1940)
• Reflections on the Failure of Socialism (1955)
• Love and Revolution (1964)

References

• "Max Eastman and the American Left," American Literary History Journal, 1970.
• Eastman, Max. Love and Revolution: My Journey Through an Epoch. Random House, 1964.
• Christopher Hitchens, "Max Eastman: The Anti-Communist Socialist," The Atlantic, 1990.
• John Dewey, "Letters to Max Eastman," Columbia University Archives.