Morton Steinberg' scrapbook documents Steinberg's activities on the University of Michigan campus. The scrapbook contains theatrical performances and athletic events programs (including an Ohio State-Michigan football game program); photographs, including several Kappa Nu, Mu chapter group photographs; dance cards; a list of Steinberg's college friends with home addresses; newspaper clippings; identification cards; receipts and ticket stubs, and other ephemera. The scrapbook also includes materials related to Devera Steinberg's activities on the University of Michigan varsity debate team: her varsity debate team photo, a debate program, and a newspaper clipping.
A separate folder contains Steinberg's brief biography dated December 1964 and a photocopy of his article "Only a Free Press Can Enable Democracy to Function" (source not identified)
Morton Steinberg was born on November 17, 1900, in St. Ignace, Mich. to Jacob "Jake" H. Steinberg and Minnie (Lipsitz) Steinberg. Morton Steinberg's paternal grandparents Julius and Mary Steinberg were department store owners and the first Jewish residents of Traverse City, Mich. Jake Steinberg moved his family to Traverse City from St. Ignace in 1902, after being in business in St. Ignace since 1888, and took over the family business in partnership with his brother, Alec. Morton had two sisters, Devera and Getelle.
In high school, both Devera and Morton were on the debate teams. Devera Steinberg Stocker (University of Michigan Class of 1922) was a champion debater. Morton Steinberg entered the University of Michigan in 1919. Also in 1919, the University of Michigan's Mu chapter of Kappa Nu, a Jewish fraternity, was formed. Steinberg joined the Chapter. While at Michigan, Steinberg also became a member of the Zionist Organization of America. He later joined the Intercollegiate Menorah Association for Study and Advancement of Jewish Culture and Ideals. Steinberg graduated from the University of Michigan in 1923. He also attended the University of Wisconsin (1924), University of Minnesota, and the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, where he studied international law.
At the beginning of his career, Steinberg practiced law in Muskegon, Mich. He became active in politics and as a result, worked as a lawyer for the Department State, Department of Public Housing, the War Production Board, and served as a Special Assistant to the U.S. Attorney General between 1944 and 1955. Steinberg was a Member of the Supreme Court of Michigan, the Federal Bar, and the Bar of the Supreme Court of the United States. He was also a member of the National Speaker Panel of the United States Association for the United Nations. Steinberg authored a number of articles on the subject of international politics. He retired in 1965.
Morton Steinberg passed away in 1974 in Englewood, New Jersey.
