Ralph Chaplin

Born in 1887, Ralph Chaplin was an American writer, illustrator, and labor activist whose name is closely tied to the Industrial Workers of the World. He became widely known after writing the lyrics to "Solidarity Forever," a song that grew into one of the best-known anthems of organized labor in the United States.

Chaplin worked as a cartoonist and editor as well as an organizer, using both words and images to support labor causes. His activism brought serious consequences: during the anti-radical crackdown of World War I, he was prosecuted along with other IWW leaders and spent time in prison.

Later in life, he continued writing and reflecting on the movement he had helped shape. He died in 1961, but his work still stands as a window into the ideals, conflicts, and culture of early twentieth-century labor activism.