Lewis E. Lehrman, a distinguished American investment banker, historian, and politician, passed away on March 11, 2026, in Greenwich, Connecticut, at the age of 87. His death followed a battle with Parkinson's disease. Lehrman's multifaceted career left an indelible mark on finance, public policy, and the study of American history, particularly his profound contributions to Abraham Lincoln scholarship and the advocacy of sound monetary policy.

Born on August 15, 1938, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Lehrman was the son of Rose (Herman) and Benjamin Sachs Lehrman, who served as chairman of the Rite Aid Corporation. His family was Jewish, and he attended The Hill School, a boarding school in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. Lehrman embarked on an impressive academic journey, earning his Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale University, where he was a Carnegie Teaching Fellow in 1960. He subsequently completed a Master of Arts from Harvard University as a Woodrow Wilson Fellow.

His early career saw him rise to prominence in the business world, notably serving as president of the Rite Aid Corporation until 1977, a company his family had helped build from a wholesale grocery business. In 1981, he established his own investment firm, L. E. Lehrman & Co., where he served as a senior partner. Later in the decade, in 1988, he also became a managing director at Morgan Stanley. Lehrman was a passionate advocate for sound monetary policy, influenced by Jacques Rueff. He was appointed to the U.S. Gold Commission by President Ronald Reagan in 1981 and co-authored 'The Case for Gold' (1982) with Congressman Ron Paul. In 2011, he launched 'Gold Standard Now' to advocate for the unilateral resumption of the gold standard.

Lehrman's commitment to public service extended into the political arena. In 1982, he garnered significant attention as the Republican and Conservative Party nominee for Governor of New York. Though ultimately unsuccessful in his bid against Mario Cuomo, his campaign was a testament to his dedication to conservative principles and economic reform, often characterized by his distinctive red suspenders in campaign advertisements. He was considered a possible future Republican candidate for president. In 1983, he helped found Citizens for America, an organization that supported the anti-communist Contra guerrillas in Nicaragua. He also served for one year on the board of directors of the Project for the New American Century.

Beyond his business and political endeavors, Lehrman was a passionate advocate for historical scholarship and education. In 1972, he founded the Lehrman Institute, a public policy research and grant-making foundation dedicated to examining economic and foreign policy through a historical lens. His vision further materialized in 1994 with the co-founding of the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History alongside Richard Gilder. This institution became a cornerstone for advancing the understanding of U.S. history through its extensive collection of historical documents, which is on deposit for public access at the New-York Historical Society, where he also served as a Trustee Emeritus.

His philanthropic efforts extended to co-founding the Lincoln and Soldiers Institute at Gettysburg College, which annually awards the Lincoln Prize, and where he taught the Lincoln Senior Seminar. He also co-founded the Gilder Lehrman Center for the Study of Slavery, Resistance and Abolition at Yale University, which awards the Frederick Douglass Prize. With Washington College and George Washington's Mount Vernon, he and Richard Gilder created the George Washington Book Prize in 2005. In November 2010, Lehrman and Gilder received the William E. Simon Prize for Lifetime Achievement in Social Entrepreneurship.

Lehrman's scholarly pursuits were prolific, resulting in several acclaimed books and essays. He authored significant works on Abraham Lincoln, including "Lincoln at Peoria: The Turning Point" (2008) and "Lincoln 'by littles'" (2013). His other notable historical works include "Churchill, Roosevelt & Company: Studies in Character and Statecraft" (2017), "Lincoln & Churchill: Statesmen at War" (2018), and "The American Founders" (2013). On monetary policy, he wrote "The True Gold Standard" (2012) and "Money, Gold and History" (2013). His writings and lectures consistently highlighted his deep interest in American history and the principles he believed underpinned national prosperity and liberty, appearing in periodicals such as The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, National Review, American Spectator, and The Weekly Standard.

In recognition of his profound contributions to American history, Abraham Lincoln scholarship, and monetary policy, Lewis Lehrman was awarded the prestigious National Humanities Medal by President George W. Bush in an Oval Office ceremony in 2005. He also served as a trustee for numerous institutions, including the American Enterprise Institute in the late 1970s, The Heritage Foundation until the 1990s (where he funded the Lehrman auditorium), the Manhattan Institute, and the Pierpont Morgan Library. He received honorary degrees from Babson College, Gettysburg College, Lincoln College, Marymount University, and Thomas Aquinas College.

Lehrman was married to Louise, and together they had five adult children, fifteen grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. He converted to Catholicism during his lifetime. Tributes poured in following his passing; The Mount Vernon Ladies' Association and George Washington's Mount Vernon expressed sadness, acknowledging his partnership in advancing American history and teacher education, and their co-creation of the George Washington Prize. The New York Historical Society mourned the passing of their Trustee Emeritus, recognizing his pivotal role in the institution's transformation. The World Youth Alliance published a tribute, highlighting his role as an important early donor and his 'transformational gift' for their Human Dignity Curriculum. The Heritage Foundation acknowledged his nearly two decades of service as a trustee and his continued impact on the conservative movement.

Lehrman's legacy is one of a tireless intellectual and a committed public servant who believed in the power of history to inform the present and shape the future. His work in finance, politics, and historical advocacy will continue to influence scholars, policymakers, and citizens for generations to come. He is remembered for his sharp intellect, his unwavering principles, and his enduring commitment to the American story.