Samuel M. Lambert
{{short description|American labor leader (1913–1991)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{infobox officeholder
|office=Executive secretary of the National Education Association
|term_start=1967
|term_end=1972
|birth_date={{birth date|1913|3|10}}
|birth_place=Canebrake, West Virginia, U.S.
|death_date={{Death date and age|1991|4|9|1913|3|10}}
|death_place=Washington, D.C., U.S.
|spouse=Juanita Bates
|children=2
|education=West Virginia University
George Washington University
|occupation=Labor leader
}}
Samuel M. Lambert (March 10, 1913 – April 9, 1991) was an American labor leader who served as executive secretary of the National Education Association during the Richard Nixon administration. Due to the political power wielded by the group, as well as their opposition to federal funding for parochial schools, Lambert was placed on Nixon's Enemies List.{{cite news|last=Thimmesch|first=Nick|date=July 7, 1973|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XeRdAAAAIBAJ&dq=%22Samuel+M.+Lambert%22&pg=PA4&article_id=816,938248|title=When Committee Loses Sight Of Its True Purpose|work=Observer–Reporter|location=Washington, D.C.|page=A-4|access-date=June 25, 2024}}
Early life and education
Lambert, a native of Canebrake, West Virginia, was born on March 10, 1913. He grew up in Bluefield, West Virginia.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1991/04/11/ex-nea-executive-secretary-samuel-m-lambert-dies-at-78/df6f6906-bcea-48fb-9874-e85bf6df7941/|title=Ex-NEA Executive Secretary Samuel M. Lambert Dies at 78|url-access=subscription|work=The Washington Post|date=April 10, 1991|access-date=October 3, 2023}}
Lambert graduated from West Virginia University, where he also received a master's degree before obtaining his doctorate at George Washington University.{{cite news|last=Cook|first=Joan|date=April 12, 1991|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/04/12/obituaries/samuel-lambert-78-former-head-of-education-association-is-dead.html|title=Samuel Lambert, 78, Former Head of Education Association, Is Dead|url-access=subscription|work=The New York Times|access-date=April 16, 2017|issn=0362-4331}}
Career
Prior to joining the National Education Association, Lambert taught high school mathematics and social studies in Bluefield, West Virginia. He also served as director of research and planning of the West Virginia Education Association.
Lambert worked for the National Education Association for 22 years. He began serving as assistant research director in 1950, research director in 1956, and assistant executive secretary in 1965. He served as executive secretary of the organization from 1967 until his retirement in 1972.
Personal life and death
Lambert was married to Juanita Bates and had two daughters. He was a member of the Classroom Teachers Association, the American Association of School Administrators, the National Association of State Educators, and the National Association of Elementary School Principals.
Lambert died of cancer at the age of 78 at his home in Washington, D.C., on April 9, 1991.{{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1991/04/14/samuel-lambert-education-unionist/|title=Samuel Lambert, Education Unionist|url-access=limited|work=Chicago Tribune|date=August 10, 2021|orig-date=April 14, 1991|access-date=June 25, 2024}}
References
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Category:American trade union leaders
Category:National Education Association people
Category:George Washington University alumni
Category:West Virginia University alumni
Category:People from McDowell County, West Virginia