August Claessens
August Claessens | |
|---|---|
Claessens in 1920 | |
| Member of the New York State Assembly from the 17th New York district | |
| In office February 28, 1922 – December 31, 1922 | |
| Preceded by | Murray Felenstein |
| Succeeded by | Meyer Alterman |
| In office September 16, 1920 – September 21, 1920 | |
| Preceded by | Himself |
| Succeeded by | Nathan Lieberman |
| In office January 1, 1918 – April 1, 1920 | |
| Preceded by | Martin Bourke |
| Succeeded by | Himself |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 17, 1885 Bern, Switzerland |
| Died | December 9, 1954 (aged 69) New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Political party | Socialist (before 1936) American Labor (1936–1944) Liberal (after 1944) |
| Other political affiliations | Social Democratic Federation (after 1936) |
| Spouse(s) | Hilda Goldstein Anna Glassman |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Cooper Union |
| Occupation | Clerk, teacher, politician |
| Known for | Expulsion from the New York State Assembly |
August "Gus" Claessens (June 17, 1885 – December 9, 1954) was a Swiss-born American socialist politician, best known as one of the five New York Assemblymen expelled from that body during the First Red Scare for their membership in the Socialist Party of America.
Claessens was three times a candidate for United States Congress, running on the Socialist ticket in 1914, 1924, and 1934. He later served as Executive Secretary and National Chairman of the Social Democratic Federation, a factional offshoot of the Socialist Party.