Henry Wise Papers

Henry Wise was born in the South End of Boston on July 14, 1896. He attended Boston Latin and went on to graduate from both Harvard College and Harvard Law School. Following his graduation from law school in 1921, he practiced in the Greater Boston area for 30 years. In 1927, he married Pearl Katz. Throughout his career, he specialized mainly in the areas of housing, fisheries, and labor law. In the 1930s and 1940s, he served as vice chairman and chairman of the Cambridge Housing Authority, as well as vice chairman of the Cambridge Committee for Plan E, which played a key role in the adoption of the city manager form of government. Wise also represented the Atlantic Fisherman’s Union of Boston for 25 years, and in the 1950s, as their lawyer, he helped draft legislation for a tariff on the importation of fish products with the revenue in turn being used towards research on fish resources and conservation. He also served as general counsel for the Cambridge Police Association from 1967 until his death, during which time he drafted and lobbied into legislation a law that gave Massachusetts police officers the right to bargain.

In 1942, Wise contacted the Institute of Jewish Affairs expressing an interest in becoming a member and provide any services he might be able to render them. The Institute was established in New York on February 1, 1941 as a co-operative effort between the American Jewish Congress and the World Jewish Congress. Its purpose was to examine Jewish life during the preceding 25 years, with the hope that it would give a better understanding to the situation of Jews at that time. Made up of scholars, the Institute of Jewish Affairs conducted scientific investigations geared toward explaining recent events surrounding Jews and to form a policy to protect Jewish rights post-war. Wise became a member of the Board of Trustees of the Institute of Jewish Affairs and worked to help the Institute further their reach beyond New York through his own connections in Boston, Ohio, and Texas.

Henry Wise also became an instructor and professor of law at numerous colleges in the Boston area, including law at Suffolk University, labor law at Wellesley College, and economics at the New York School for Social Research in New York City. He died on January 1, 1989 at the age of 92 at his home in Cambridge.

1896

Born in Boston’s South End on July 14th.

1918

Graduates from Harvard College.

1921

Graduates from Harvard Law School and subsequently begins practicing law in the Greater Boston area.

1927

Marries Pearl Katz.

1936-1941

Serves as vice chairman and chairman of the Cambridge Housing Authority.

1938

Serves as vice chairman of the Cambridge Committee for Plan E.

1942

Becomes involved with Institute of Jewish Affairs, serving as a member for the Board of Trustees.

1950s

Works as a lawyer for the Atlantic Fisherman’s Union of Boston for 25 years.

1967

Serves as general counsel for the Cambridge Police Association until his death.

1989

Dies at his Cambridge home on January 1st.