The definitive biography of New York States fourterm Governor US Senator humanitarian and Jewish liberal political reformer.This new biography of Herbert Lehmanthe first in a half centuryfills the void left by historians and political scientists who have neglected one of the truly great liberal icons of the midtwentieth century. Based on extensive research in archival sources Herbert H. Lehman restores this fourterm Governor of New York US Senator national and international humanitarian and political reformer to his rightful place among the pantheon of liberal heroes of his era. By focusing on Lehmans interactions with Al Smith Franklin Roosevelt Harry Truman Lyndon Johnson and John Kennedy Duane Tananbaum shows how Lehman succeeded politically despite his refusal to compromise with his conscience. In his thirtyfive years of public service Herbert Lehman fought the Republicans in the State Legislature to provide economic security for New Yorkers during the Great Depression and he battled the bureaucrats in the Roosevelt and Truman administrations and the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration to feed the starving people in Europe and Asia during and after World War II. His efforts on behalf of the welfare state civil rights legislation and immigration reform helped keep the liberal agenda alive until Congress and the nation were ready to enact it into law as part of Lyndon Johnsons Great Society in 19641965.