Biographical Note
Dr. Marie D. Equi, a Portland, Or. doctor, was born in 1872 in New
Bedford, Massachusetts. She came to Oregon in 1893 and graduated from the
University of Oregon Medical School in 1903. She became involved in the
Progressive movement, particularly the cause of suffrage. After becoming
disillusioned with Progressivism she became involved with the IWW. In June 1918
Dr. Equi was arrested and tried for violating the war-time Espionage Act for a
speech she gave at the local IWW hall in Portland. In November of that year a
jury found her guilty and sentenced her to three years in prison. She ended up
serving ten months in San Quentin prison. She died in Portland on July 12,
1952.
Content Description
File includes: Correspondence (1918-1921) of Dr. Equi to friends and
family; telegrams, newspaper clippings, and Department of Justice agent reports
concerning Dr. Equi.
Administrative Information
Location of Originals Typescript (photocopy) of original at the National Archives &
Records Administration. "Central Files, Classified Subject Corrs. Stack: box
789 at all loc: 230/10/24/5. Desc: File 9-19-1354-0 Bureau papers only &
file 9-19-1354 pts. 1-3."
Acquisition Information This collection of copies was acquired from the National Archives and
Records Administration.
Processing Note Processed in 2003.
Separated Materials Special Collections also has books and manuscripts relating to one of
Equi's defense attorneys, Charles Erskine Scott Wood.
Use of the Collection
Restrictions on Access This collection has no restrictions and is open for research.
Restrictions on Use Permission to publish, exhibit, broadcast, or quote from materials in
the Watzek Library Archives & Special Collections requires written
permission of the Head of Archives & Special Collections.
Preferred Citation The United States Department of Justice File on Dr. Marie D. Equi,
OLPb004EQU, Lewis & Clark College Aubrey Watzek Library Archives &
Special Collections, Portland, Oregon.
