Cannon, James Patrick, 1890-1974

James Patrick Cannon (February 11, 1890 – August 21, 1974) was an American Trotskyist who served as national secretary of the Socialist Workers Party (SWP) from its foundation in 1938 until 1953. Previously a member of the Communist Party of America (CPA), he founded the International Labor Defense in 1925 and served as its first national secretary. Following his expulsion from the pro-Stalinist CPA in 1928, Cannon helped establish the American Trotskyist movement. He co-founded and led the Communist League of America, which then merged into the Workers Party of the United States. In 1938, he founded the Socialist Workers Party. During World War II, he was imprisoned for opposing America's involvement in the conflict. In 1953, Cannon stepped down as National Secretary and moved to California. At the time of his death in Los Angeles in August 1974, he held the position of national chairman emeritus of the SWP.