Thomas E. Dewey (1902–71)
Law 1925
Crime Fighter

"There should be no substitute for integrity in government"

An outstanding political leader and crime fighter, Thomas E. Dewey first made his name as a "rackets buster" leading the fight against organized crime and political corruption as chief assistant U.S. attorney and later as the district attorney of New York County. Such was his achievement that letters were delivered to him addressed simply as "Thomas E. Dewey: Enemy of Corruption." Dewey would, during the 1930s, successfully prosecute various gangsters and other assorted underworld figures. Dewey would go on to serve three terms as governor of New York State, serving from 1942 to 1954. Twice he was nominated by the Republican Party as their candidate for president in 1944 and 1948. Despite losing both of these presidential bids, he would go on to serve as an advisor to President Eisenhower and President Nixon. He is given credit for the political philosophy of "Modern Republicanism," which did much to restore the two-party system following the political success of the New Deal. An outstanding individual, Thomas E. Dewey made a remarkable contribution to both the annals of crime fighting and our political culture.

Submitted by Rudy Carmenaty, School of Law 1990, who is solely responsible for the content.