Coughlin, Charles

Charles Coughlin (1891–1979) was a Depression-era Catholic priest and radio personality. Initially a religious commentator, Coughlin became famous in the United States as an opponent of big business and advocate for the poor. Known as Father Coughlin, he cultivated a dedicated working-class audience during the 1930s, first supporting President Franklin D. Roosevelt, then turning against his New Deal policies. Viewing government attention to the poor as a moral imperative, in 1934, Coughlin founded the National Union of Social Justice to promote his ideas. Always controversial, Coughlin was removed from the air in 1939 because of his support for European fascist regimes and his vocal anti-Semitism.

Born in Hamilton, Ontario, Coughlin attended St. Michael’s College and in 1916 was ordained as a priest of the Basilican ...

  • Loading...
locked icon

Sign in to access this content

Get a 30 day FREE TRIAL

  • Watch videos from a variety of sources bringing classroom topics to life
  • Read modern, diverse business cases
  • Explore hundreds of books and reference titles