Joseph Hansen (1910-1979), was a Trotskyist and leading figure in the American Socialist Workers Party. Hansen served as Trotsky's secretary from 1937 joining the exiled Soviet leader in Mexico. Hansen was present when Ramón Mercader stabbed Trotsky in the head with an icepick and prevented the assassin from fleeing.

Hansen returned to the United States and was editor of the SWP's newspaper, The Militant for a number of years. Hansen helped arrange the reunification of the International Secretariat of the Fourth International and the International Committee of the Fourth International into the United Secretariat of the Fourth International in 1963 and became editor of the USFI's weekly English-language news service, initially called "World Outlook" and later changed to "Intercontinental Press."

External links

• Joseph Hansen Archive small archive of articles on Trotsky. Retrieved on April 8, 2005.

• What the Record Really Shows: The Test of the Cuban Revolution by Joseph Hansen. International Socialist Review

January 1965. Retrieved on April 8, 2005.

Joseph Hansen is also an American rower.

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Joseph Hansen (1923- November 24, 2004) was also an American mystery writer. Hansen wrote nearly 40 books in a variety of genres, but was best known for his Brandstetter mystery novels (starting with Fadout in 1970). Brandstetter lasted for a total of 12 books and was the first tough, hard-boiled, no-nonsense detective who just happened to be homosexual. Hansen also wrote poems, taught workshops, and hosted a 60's radio show known as Homosexuality Today. Hansen was married to artist Jane Bancroft from 1943 to her death in 1994. He said their relationship was that of "a gay man and a woman who happened to love each other." Hansen died at his home from heart failure. Hansen's only survivor was a daughter who underwent a sex change operation and is now a man.

External links

• Books by Joseph Hansen, mystery author
• Joseph Hansen, mystery author interview Tangents, links to blog & profile