Merrill Rogers (27 May 1892 — 8 November 1964)[1] was an American author, playwright, United States government official, business manager, advertising executive, and magazine editor.
He first drew attention as the business manager of the socialist periodical The Masses which became embroiled in two highly publicized court trials in 1918 for alleged violations of the Espionage Act.
Rogers, along with other employees of the periodical, were criminally charged by the United States government but neither trial resulted in any convictions.
He ended his career working for the United States Department of Health and Human Services as a member of the staff of the Committee on Aging.
[3] A subsequent court trial was filed by the United States government against Rogers and several other individuals connected to The Masses.
They were charged with seeking to "unlawfully and willfully...obstruct the recruiting and enlistment of the United States" military, and faced fines up to 10,000 dollars and twenty years imprisonment.
He finished his career as a member of the staff of the Committee on Aging in the United States Department of Health and Human Services.