William Goldsmith

William Michael Goldsmith of Vineyard Haven, author, presidential scholar, political activist, and retired professor, died Tuesday, March 23, of complications from a stroke at Long Hill in Edgartown. Goldsmith, 90, known as Bill, had a long and varied career that included work in the labor movement in the 1940s and ’50s, civil rights activism in the ’60s, and 24 years of teaching at Brandeis University. His life was marked throughout by a blend of scholarship and public service.
William M. Goldsmith, Martha’s Vineyard

His three-volume documented study, The Growth of Presidential Power, was published in 1974 and is still considered by many to be the definitive work in its field. He also created the Brandeis Papers Commission at Brandeis University, a permanent repository for the papers of Justice Louis Dembitz Brandeis.

Throughout his life, Bill maintained a penchant to connect with people from all walks of life and an ability to engage with a warm touch, a smile, or an insightful comment. He was the beloved husband of Dr. Marianne Goldsmith of Vineyard Haven, a psychoanalyst and pediatrician. They have three children and five grandchildren.

Goldsmith’s teaching career was remarkable for the inspiration and encouragement he gave to his students, especially the disadvantaged. He had a keen eye for the potential in each student he fostered and fought tirelessly to champion their cause. He was instrumental in bringing to Brandeis the groundbreaking Upward Bound program, a summer program for talented high school students from underserved neighborhoods such as Roxbury and South Boston.