Born in Berdichev, Ukraine, Swerling was a refugee of the Czarist regime who grew up on New York City's lower East Side, where he sold newspapers to help support his family.
Swerling was born in Berdichev, Ukraine. Swerling was a refugee of the Czarist regime. This refugee of the Czarist regime grew up on New York City's lower East Side. He sold newspapers. This was to help support his family.