Berger, Victor L. (1860-1929), became the first Socialist to be elected to the United States Congress. He served from 1911 to 1913 as a Wisconsin representative. He was reelected in 1918, and again in 1919.
The House of Representatives refused to admit Berger in 1919 because of his pacifist opposition to World War I (1914-1918). He was sentenced to 20 years in prison on a charge of giving aid and comfort to the enemy in wartime. The Supreme Court of the United States reversed the sentence in 1921. Berger was again elected to Congress and served from 1923 to 1929.
Berger was born on Feb. 28, 1860, in Rehbach, Austria. He moved to Milwaukee in 1880. He died on Aug. 7, 1929.
