Dewey, Thomas Edmund (1902–1971)

US public official and governor of New York 1942–54. Dewey was twice the Republican presidential candidate, losing to Franklin D Roosevelt in 1944 and to Harry Truman in 1948, the latter race being one of the greatest electoral upsets in US history.

Although the clear favourite to win the 1948 election, Dewey lost because of divisive splits in the Democratic camp. In addition, Dewey ran a restrained campaign, whereas Truman embarked on a ‘whistle stop’ train tour of the country.

Dewey was born in Owosso, Michigan, and received a law degree from Columbia University 1925. He was appointed chief assistant to the US attorney in the Southern District of New York 1931. Having gained a reputation as a crime fighter while serving as special investigator of organized crime 1935–37, he was Manhattan district attorney 1937–38.

After his terms as governor, Dewey retained much influence in the Republican Party, and helped to promote the presidential candidature of Dwight D Eisenhower 1952 and 1956 and that of Richard Nixon 1960.