Massachusetts AFL-CIO Scholarship Practice Exam

Who was elected president of the Boston Typographical Union in 1882?

1. Peter J. McGuire

2. Frank Foster

3. Samuel Gompers

4. Josiah Quincy IV

The correct answer is: Frank Foster

In 1882, Frank Foster was elected president of the Boston Typographical Union, marking a significant moment in labor history as he played a key role in advocating for the rights of workers in the printing industry. Foster's leadership represented a push for organized labor to gain better working conditions, wages, and hours, which was crucial during a time of industrial growth in the United States. While other prominent figures in labor history, such as Samuel Gompers, were influential in shaping the labor movement, their pivotal roles in different unions and federations like the American Federation of Labor came later. Peter J. McGuire is known for his work in the labor movement, particularly in the establishment of Labor Day, but his activities were separate from the Boston Typographical Union at that time. Josiah Quincy IV, not prominent in the labor movement, had different focuses unrelated to the union's objectives during that period. Thus, selecting Frank Foster as the answer highlights his critical role in supporting the labor movement within the context of Boston's trade unionism in the late 19th century.