Lewis Herold Brown (1894-1951) was an American industrialist and prominent businessman, best known for his leadership at Johns-Manville Corporation, the world's largest manufacturer of asbestos and asbestos products during his tenure. Born on February 13, 1894, in Creston, Iowa, Brown attended the University of Iowa starting in 1915, where he worked as a research assistant and librarian for the State Historical Society to fund his education. He interrupted his studies to serve as an infantry captain in France during World War I, demonstrating early leadership skills that would define his career. After the war, Brown joined Montgomery Ward, a major retail company, and rapidly advanced, becoming Assistant General Operating Manager within eight years. At the age of 35, he resigned to take on the role of chairman of the board at Johns-Manville, making him the youngest person to hold that position at the time. Under his guidance, the company expanded significantly in the interwar period. Brown also played a pivotal role in founding the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) in 1938, an organization dedicated to promoting free enterprise principles. During World War II, he served as an advisor to General Levin Campbell, chief of army ordnance, contributing to wartime production efforts and earning recognitions such as the Army-Navy 'E' Award, though claims of receiving the Medal of Honor appear unsubstantiated and likely erroneous. Brown's influence extended to public policy and economic thought, reflecting his commitment to American business interests. He died on January 1, 1951, leaving a legacy in industrial management and think-tank development, though his association with asbestos manufacturing later drew scrutiny amid health controversies that emerged posthumously.