Seymour Peck
Encyclopedia
Seymour Peck was an American journalist. He is well known for his testimony before the Senate Internal Security Subcommittee. He was married to Susan Peck and they lived together for more than 25 years in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York
in July of that year. Once on the stand Peck admitted his own involvement with the Communist Party
from 1935-1949. When pressed by Senators Peck refused to answer questions about the affiliations of other people. He wouldn't name names. Peck a one-time staffer at the defunct Communist leaning New York Compass did not claim the protection of the 5th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution when he refused to answer the questions, he simply refused to answer. This, despite repeated warnings that he risked a contempt citation.
In Dec. 1956 Peck was indicted, along with Robert Shelton
, William A. Price
, and Alden Whitman
, for contempt of Congress by a Washington grand jury. Though he was convicted, the conviction was eventually overturned.
said of Peck, "Seymour Peck’s editorial hand ranged far, wide and deep, touching lightly but expertly … He seemed less an editor of any sort than the very best sort of guardian angel," in a Jan. 5, 1985 New York Times article.
Work at The New York Times
Seymour Peck was hired by the New York Times in 1952. He held several positions including deskman for the New York Times Sunday Magazine.Peck's Communist affiliation
Seymour Peck was forced to testify before the Senate when the Senate Internal Security Subcommittee subpoenaed him in Nov. 1955. The subpoena followed up testimony from journalist Winston BurdettWinston Burdett
Winston Burdett was an American broadcast journalist and correspondent for the CBS Radio Network during World War II and later for CBS television news. He was born in Buffalo, New York. From 1937-1942 he was involved with the Communist Party...
in July of that year. Once on the stand Peck admitted his own involvement with the Communist Party
Communist party
A political party described as a Communist party includes those that advocate the application of the social principles of communism through a communist form of government...
from 1935-1949. When pressed by Senators Peck refused to answer questions about the affiliations of other people. He wouldn't name names. Peck a one-time staffer at the defunct Communist leaning New York Compass did not claim the protection of the 5th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution when he refused to answer the questions, he simply refused to answer. This, despite repeated warnings that he risked a contempt citation.
In Dec. 1956 Peck was indicted, along with Robert Shelton
Robert Shelton
Robert Shelton was a music and film critic.Shelton's most enduring claim to fame was that he helped launch the career of a then unknown 20-year-old folk singer named Bob Dylan...
, William A. Price
William A. Price
William A. Price was an American journalist who worked as the United Nations correspondent and, later, police reporter for the New York Daily News from 1940-1955...
, and Alden Whitman
Alden Whitman
Alden Whitman was an American journalist. He worked at The New York Times where he pioneered writing personalized obituaries. He is also known for his testimony before the Senate Internal Security Subcommittee...
, for contempt of Congress by a Washington grand jury. Though he was convicted, the conviction was eventually overturned.
Trivia
Walter KerrWalter Kerr
For the RN admiral see Lord Walter KerrWalter Francis Kerr was an American writer and Broadway theater critic. He also was the writer, lyricist, and/or director of several Broadway plays and musicals.-Biography:...
said of Peck, "Seymour Peck’s editorial hand ranged far, wide and deep, touching lightly but expertly … He seemed less an editor of any sort than the very best sort of guardian angel," in a Jan. 5, 1985 New York Times article.