Cohen, Benjamin V.

Cohen, Benjamin V. (Victor)

(1894–1983) lawyer, government official; born in Muncie, Ind. A brilliant New York corporate lawyer (1922–33) he joined Roosevelt's "brain trust," co-drafting New Deal legislation including the Securities Act of 1933 and plans for the Tennessee Valley Authority. He helped to write the Lend-Lease plan (1941) and served in the United Nations (1948–52) before returning to private practice.