This is the first comprehensive biography of Raphael Lemkin (1900-59), the man who invented the word genocide and campaigned relentlessly for the United Nations Genocide Convention. Utilising Lemkin's own papers as well as other sources, it contextualises his career, showing how his ideas were formed in the midst of ethnic strife in Eastern Europe and as a member of the international law circuit. The book focuses on the campaign for a convention orchestrated by Lemkin, dealing both with its supporters and enemies, particularly the British government. While Lemkin drew attention to the need to preserve diverse cultures, both in his campaigning and his historical writing, the Western powers amended the convention, so that it became an instrument solely for preventing physical genocide. The book also covers Lemkin's historical research on genocide, presenting a number of studies, particularly of colonial genocide.

Introduction
Formative Years in Poland
Escape from Poland
Early Years in the United States
The Publication of his Master Work and the Nuremberg Trial
The United Nations Resolution on Genocide
1947, the First Draft of the Convention
Private Life
Yale and Geneva
Paris, Preliminary Discussion of the Convention
The First Reading of the Convention
The Convention is Adopted
The International Campaign for Ratification of the Convention
The United States Senate and the Convention
The Genocide Convention: its Supporters and Enemies
The History of Genocide
The History of Genocide: Case Studies
Closing Years
Conclusion
Bibliography

JOHN COOPER studied History at Balliol College, Oxford, UK, and was in private legal practice until his retirement. His publications include Eat and be Satisfied: a Social History of Jewish Food and Pride Versus Prejudice: Jewish Doctors and Lawyers in England, 1890-1990.