Boris Gourevitch
BornJuly 8, 1889
Russia
DiedApril 4, 1964 (aged 74)
New York City
NationalityFrench, American
OccupationWriter
Known forBooks, peace activism, nominated twice for Nobel Peace Prize

Boris Gourevitch (July 8, 1889[1]—April 4,[2] 1964)[3][4][5] was a noted author and peace activist.

His The Road to Peace and to Moral Democracy, earned him to be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1957 and again in 1959.[2][3]

He spent 12 years on the writing, the 2,700‐page two‐volume work, an "encyclopedia of peace" and history, in favor of international reforms to overcome the appeals of Communism and to join in a United Nations "economic parliament of humanity" to build up underdeveloped countries.[3]

Gourevitch was born in Uman, in the Kiev province of then Russia. His father, Abraham, obtained a degree from the University of Kharkov, a physician, had spent in exile, many years in Switzerland. He obtained there his medical degree from University of Bern. He "fought during his whole life for the principles of liberty and for the human rights of peasants and Jews."[1][6] His mother was Sarah Gourevitch, née Grinberg, one of the first women in Russia to obtain a university education, a friend of many Russian writers. Her grandfather created a home for the indigent in Uman.[1]

Boris, though arrested for political activities interrupting his education at St. Vladimir University in Kiev was interrupted in 1908, yet, he eventually was graduated from the faculty of law.[2][3]

His earlier writings, while in Russia included appeals for pacifism, a philosophical novel, works on the cultural life of Jews, the peoples of Russia and poetry.

After the Soviets took over in Russia, Gourevitch lived in France.

He formed a Committee for the Emancipation of Jews[3][7] in face of Hitler's rise.

He was also noted for efforts in rescuing Jews during the Holocaust.[8]

Later on, he formed[3][7][1] the Union for the Protection of the Human Person.[9][10][11] He went to the United States in 1939 to set up American branches.[3] Before and during World War II it was active in efforts for refugees and concentration camp prisoners and their resettlement.[2][3] In the 1950s, professor Robert M. Maclver[3] and Albert Simard, among others, were also active in this organization.[12][13] In 1955, the three signed a letter addressed to South Africa:[14]

The Union for the Protection of the Human Person by International Social and Economic Cooperation sends its greetings and cordial wishes to the Congress of the People. Only by insuring the equality of opportunity in education, work, and social life for all citizens can a nation develop its spiritual resources and rise to the summit of human culture. Every individual should be judged on his merits and not on the color of his skin or on his origin. Great destiny awaits the country founded by noble men who sought political and religious freedom if this country will implement the great principle of brotherhood of men and rejects all calls for interracial or class struggle.

Gourevitch died on April 4, 1964, at the age of 74, in New York.[15][2][3]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Inc, Union for the Protection of the Human Person by International Social and Economic Co-operation (1957). The Significance of the Book, The Road to Peace and to Moral Democracy, by Boris Gourevitch. p. 46. {{cite book}}: |last= has generic name (help)
    His father was Dr. Abraham Gourevitch, a liberal physician who spent many years of his youth in exile in Switzerland, where he obtained his medical degree from Bern University. He also obtained a degree from the University of Kharkov, Russia. A writer and poet, Dr. Abraham Gourevitch was a man of strong Populist convictions, and he fought during his whole life for the principles of liberty and for the human rights of peasants and Jews. The mother of Boris Gourevitch, Mrs. Sarah Gourevitch, née Grinberg, was one of the first women in Russia to obtain a university education, and she was the friend of many Russian writers. Her grandfather created a home for the indigent in Uman.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 The Detroit Jewish News Digital Archives – April 10, 1964. 30.
    Mr. Gourevitch, 74, was an author in pre-Soviet Russia. He was nominated for the prize in 1957 and again in 1959 for his two-volume work, "The Road to Peace and to Moral Democracy." The union, of which he was president, had been active before and during World War II in efforts for refugees and concentration camp prisoners and their resettlement, but in recent years had become primarily a private crusade by Mr, Gourevitch...
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Boris Gourevitch Is Dead at 74; Author Was Worker for Peace". The New York Times. April 6, 1964. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  4. ↑ Research, University of California (System) Institute of Library; Library, University of California, Berkeley (1972). University of California Union Catalog of Monographs Cataloged by the Nine Campuses from 1963 Through 1967: Authors & titles. Institute of Library Research, University of California, Berkeley. p. 651. ISBN 978-0-913248-00-3.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. ↑ "Family name Gourevitch". dbs.anumuseum.org.il. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  6. ↑ Gourevitch, Boris (1955). The Road to Peace and to Moral Democracy: An Encyclopedia of Peace. International Universities Press. p. 10. "Note on the Author, by Dr. Albert Simard."
  7. 1 2 "Jewish Post 10 April 1964 — Hoosier State Chronicles: Indiana's Digital Historic Newspaper Program – ("Boris Gourevitch Dead, Led Refugees Aid Body")". newspapers.library.in.gov. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  8. ↑ "Organizations". www.jewishholocaustrescuers.com. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  9. ↑ Revenue, United States Office of Internal (1947). Cumulative List of Organizations. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 419.
  10. ↑ Caron, Vicki (1999). Uneasy Asylum: France and the Jewish Refugee Crisis, 1933–1942. Stanford University Press. p. 556. ISBN 978-0-8047-4377-8.
  11. ↑ Gourevitch, Boris (1955). The Road to Peace and to Moral Democracy: An Encyclopedia of Peace. International Universities Press. p. 10.
  12. ↑ Yearbook of International Organizations. Union of International Associations. 1951. p. 444.
  13. ↑ Inc, Union for the Protection of the Human Person by International Social and Economic Co-operation (1957). The Significance of the Book, The Road to Peace and to Moral Democracy, by Boris Gourevitch. p. 62. {{cite book}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  14. ↑ Gourevitch, Boris (1955). The Road to Peace and to Moral Democracy: An Encyclopedia of Peace. International Universities Press. p. 1532.
  15. ↑ "Daily News from New York, New York on April 6, 1964 · 371". Newspapers.com. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
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