Louis Marshall

Louis Marshall Scholar to Speak in Syracuse

02/18/2013

The life of Louis Marshall, who was instrumental in the founding of the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF), will be celebrated in March at the Onondaga Historical Association (OHA) with the debut of a new autobiography about the prominent Syracuse attorney.

Louis Marshall and the Rise of Jewish Ethnicity in America: A Biography, written by M.M. Silver and published by Syracuse University Press, will be the focus of a launch and book talk 5:30 p.m. March 13 at the Onondaga Historical Museum downtown.

ESF's Marshall Hall is named after Marshall, a renowned constitutional lawyer who was responsible for creating interest in preserving the Adirondacks. He was a key figure in founding ESF, then called the New York State College of Forestry at Syracuse University. He was also the first president of the college's Board of Trustees (1911-1929). Marshall's son, Bob, was a member of the college Class of 1924 and a renowned outdoorsman. He was widely known as a defender of wilderness and was co-founder of The Wilderness Society. Bob Marshall and his brother, George, and their guide, Herb Clark, are credited with being the first people to climb all 46 mountains now recognized as the Adirondack High Peaks.

 

A tireless advocate for and leader of an array of notable American Jewish organizations and institutions, Louis Marshall also spearheaded civil rights campaigns for other ethnic groups, blazing the trail for the NAACP, Native American groups and environmental protection causes in the early 20th century. Marshall led a richly diverse life as an impassioned defender of Jewish communal interests and as a prominent attorney who reportedly argued more cases before the Supreme Court than any other attorney of his era.

Silver, a modern Jewish history scholar at Max Stern College of Emek Yezreel in Israel, is the author of several books and articles. He is coming in from Israel for this event being held at the OHA, 321 Montgomery St., Syracuse.

The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served and the book will be available for purchase and signing at the event.