Sold – Clarence Darrow Is Motivated by the Desire to Be Useful to His Fellow Men

Darrow, the most famous trial lawyer in American history, was a renowned defender of the poor, working people, unions and unpopular causes. Many think he was the conscience of America in his era, and he remains widely respected today. Nathan Straus was the co-owner of Macy’s who with his brother built it into a successful enterprise. By 1902, it was the world’s largest department store.

The brothers promoted the welfare of Macy’s employees by providing a dining hall with full meals for just five cents, offering personal gifts of money, clothing, and medical treatment, and establishing a Mutual Aid Society. As a philanthropist, Nathan gave generously to support health, disaster relief, and charity, and he was president of the American Jewish Congress from 1918 to 1920.

Typed Letter Signed on his letterhead, January 18, 1928, to Straus, giving Darrow’s definition of a life well-lived. “I want to felicitate you on your approaching eightieth birthday. It should be a great satisfaction for one to feel that he has devoted his life and talents to make it easier for the poor and unfortunate to live. The world recognizes your life of usefulness to your fellow men and this should be the greatest satisfaction that one can possibly achieve.” Thus did Darrow explain the things he considered most important, revealing to us his own motivations.

Darrow wrote this letter three years after he represented the defense in the famous Scopes trial. He was theoretically retired from full-time practice by this time, but he still emerged to undertake cases he considered meaningful.