Louis Brandeis

Louis Dembitz Brandeis (November 13, 1856 - October 3, 1941) was an important American litigator, Justice, advocate of privacy, and developer of the Brandeis Brief. In addition, he helped lead the American Zionist movement. He was appointed by Woodrow Wilson to the Supreme Court of the United States in 1916 (sworn-in on June 5), and served until 1939. He was the first Jew to hold that office. Before his appointment to the Supreme Court, he was associated with the progressive wing of the United States Democratic Party, and published a notable book in support of competition rather than monopoly in business.

Zionist leader

Brandeis also became the most prominent American Zionist. Zionism was the movement to establish a Jewish homeland in Palestine. Not raised religious, Brandeis became involved in Zionism through a 1912 conversation with Jacob de Haas, editor of a Boston Jewish weekly and a follower of Theodore Herzl. Brandeis became active in the Federation of American Zionists as a result. With the outbreak of World War I, the Zionist movement's headquarters in Berlin became ineffectual, and American Jewry had to assume larger responsibility for the Zionist movement. When the Provisional Executive Committee for Zionist Affairs was established in New York, Brandeis accepted unanimous election to be its head. In this position from 1914 to 1918, Brandeis was the leader of American Zionism. Brandeis embarked on a speaking tour in the fall and winter of 1914-1915 to support the Zionist cause. Brandeis emphasized the goal of self-determination and freedom for Jews through the development of a Jewish homeland in Palestine and the compatibility of Zionism and American patriotism.

Related Topics:
Zionist - Palestine - Theodore Herzl - World War I - Berlin - New York - 1914 - 1918

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Brandeis brought his influence in the Woodrow Wilson administration to bear in the negotiations leading up to the Balfour Declaration. Brandeis split with the European branch of Zionism, led by Chaim Weizmann, and resigned a leadership role in 1921. He retained membership, however, and remained active in Zionism until the end of his life.

Related Topics:
Woodrow Wilson - Balfour Declaration - Chaim Weizmann - 1921

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Brandeis died in 1941. Brandeis University, in Waltham, Massachusetts, was named after Louis Brandeis, as was the Brandeis Award. The University of Louisville features the Louis D. Brandeis School of Law, also named after him. A New York City high school was also named in his honor. The remains of both Justice Brandeis and his wife are interred beneath the Louis D. Brandeis School of Law at the University of Louisville. His personal and professional papers are archived at the library there.

Related Topics:
1941 - Brandeis University - Waltham, Massachusetts - Brandeis Award - University of Louisville - New York City

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