
Lewis E. Lehrman
American investment banker, historian, and politician
- Lifespan
- August 15, 1938 – March 11, 2026Aug 15, 1938 – Mar 11, 2026
- Location
- Greenwich, Connecticut, U.S.Greenwich, CT, U.S.

American investment banker, historian, and politician
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Key moments and achievements from Lewis Lehrman's life.
Lewis was born
· Greenwich, Connecticut, U.S.
Business Leadership
Lewis Lehrman served as president of the Rite Aid pharmacy chain, one of the largest drugstore chains in America. His business leadership provided both the financial resources and public profile that would support his later ventures in politics, finance, and historical scholarship.
Business Leadership
Lewis Lehrman served as president of the Rite Aid pharmacy chain, one of the largest drugstore chains in America. His business leadership provided both the financial resources and public profile that would support his later ventures in politics, finance, and historical scholarship.
Government Appointment
President Ronald Reagan appointed Lehrman to the Presidential Gold Commission in 1981, recognizing his expertise in monetary economics and the gold standard. His writings on monetary policy had earned him a reputation as one of the foremost advocates for sound money and gold-backed currency.
Government Appointment
President Ronald Reagan appointed Lehrman to the Presidential Gold Commission in 1981, recognizing his expertise in monetary economics and the gold standard. His writings on monetary policy had earned him a reputation as one of the foremost advocates for sound money and gold-backed currency.
Political Campaign
Running on both the Republican and Conservative Party lines, Lehrman lost the 1982 New York gubernatorial race to Lieutenant Governor Mario Cuomo by just 51-47%, a remarkably close margin that exceeded expectations. At the time, he was considered a possible future Republican presidential candidate.
Political Campaign
Running on both the Republican and Conservative Party lines, Lehrman lost the 1982 New York gubernatorial race to Lieutenant Governor Mario Cuomo by just 51-47%, a remarkably close margin that exceeded expectations. At the time, he was considered a possible future Republican presidential candidate.
Business Founded
Lehrman founded L.E. Lehrman & Co., an investment firm based in Greenwich, Connecticut. The firm provided a base for his continued work in finance and economics while he pursued his deepening interest in American history and Abraham Lincoln scholarship.
Business Founded
Lehrman founded L.E. Lehrman & Co., an investment firm based in Greenwich, Connecticut. The firm provided a base for his continued work in finance and economics while he pursued his deepening interest in American history and Abraham Lincoln scholarship.
Institution Founded
In 1994, Lehrman co-founded the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History with Richard Gilder. The Institute amassed over 60,000 primary documents, including Civil War-era letters, diaries, and the signed 13th Amendment, becoming one of the premier institutions for American history education and scholarship.
Institution Founded
In 1994, Lehrman co-founded the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History with Richard Gilder. The Institute amassed over 60,000 primary documents, including Civil War-era letters, diaries, and the signed 13th Amendment, becoming one of the premier institutions for American history education and scholarship.
Won Award
President George W. Bush awarded Lehrman the National Humanities Medal in 2005 for his contributions to American history, Abraham Lincoln scholarship, and monetary policy. The medal, one of the highest honors for contributions to the humanities, recognized decades of work preserving and promoting American historical understanding.
Won Award
President George W. Bush awarded Lehrman the National Humanities Medal in 2005 for his contributions to American history, Abraham Lincoln scholarship, and monetary policy. The medal, one of the highest honors for contributions to the humanities, recognized decades of work preserving and promoting American historical understanding.
Lewis Lehrman passed away