Louis D. Brandeis, the namesake for Brandeis University in Massachusetts and the law school at the University of Louisville, helped establish the concept of right-to-privacy, championed labor laws and fought against public corruption throughout his influential career as a practitioner in Boston. He was also an influential leader of the American Zionist movement before and during his years on the Supreme Court.

Dr. Melvin I. Urofsky is professor of law and public policy and a professor emeritus of history at Virginia Commonwealth University, and was the chair of its history department. He is the editor (with David W. Levy) of the five-volume collection of Louis Brandeis’s letters, as well as the author of Louis D. Brandeis: A Life, American Zionism from Herzl to the Holocaust and Louis D. Brandeis and the Progressive Tradition.

Urofsky is the recipient of the 2010 Brandeis Medal Award, which was established in 1982 to recognize individuals whose lives reflect Justice Brandeis’ commitment to the ideals of individual liberty, concern for the disadvantaged, and public service. Louis D. Brandeis: A Life received the 2011 Erwin Griswold Book Prize, the 2010 Ambassador Book Award and the 2009 National Jewish Book Award.

This lecture will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Sandy Allen Fine Arts Center at Ballard High School. Admission is free to members of The Filson Historical Society, and $10 for non-members. Reservations are suggested to ensure seating. You may reserve your seat by calling The Filson at (502) 635-5083.