Call Number: Mss 265, A.08-66

Title: Magnus Eliason, Socialist Literature fonds.

Source of supplied title: Title is based on the contents of the fonds.

Dates: 1902-1993.

Extents: .37 m of textual records.

Biographical sketch: Magnus Eliason was born on June 21, 1911. He was born and raised on a farmstead in North Laufholi. Magnus was only born with 10% of his normal vision. He and his brothers, Helgi and Frank headed to the Peace River District of northern B.C. He then became a founding member of the C.C.F. and was deeply committed to the social democratic cause throughout the entirety of his life. During his life, he met C.C.F. giants, J.S. Woodsworth and Tommy Douglas. Mr. Eliason was encouraged to start public speaking and became a known platform and organizer for the C.C.F. and NDP. He spread the word of the C.C.F. throughout Western and Atlantic Canada. He encountered many political defeats including a Peace River nomination in 1937. He then was elected as City Councilor for Winnipeg in 1968, until retiring from his post in 1989. Magnus was quite passionate about politics and equally so about his Icelandic heritage. He worked endlessly for the Icelandic community and Scandinavian Centre, which he served as President for several years. In his final years, he was rewarded with Iceland's greatest honor, The Order of the Falcon, by the President of Iceland. Magnus Eliason passed away Friday, November 11, 2005.

Custodial history: The fonds were donated by Jim Blanchard, who is the acting Head of Dafoe Library, from the estate of Magnus Eliason in 2008.

Scope and content: Single Series in a chronological order, the fonds consists of printed material relating the Co-Operative Commonwealth Federation, the NDP and other socialist organizations. This collection includes sing-along books, pamphlets, election handouts, and other assorted propaganda mediums. Some of the notable authors are T.C. Douglas, Leon Trotsky, as well as, anonymous authors of their respective organizations.

Restrictions: There are no restrictions on these records.

Accruals: No further accruals expected.

Finding aid: Paper copy available.