Ralph de Toledano

Ralph de Toledano (August 17, 1916 – February 3, 2007) was a major figure in the conservative movement in the United States throughout the second half of the 20th century. A friend of Richard Nixon, he was a journalist and editor of Newsweek and the National Review, and the author of 26 books, including two novels and a book of poetry. Besides his political contributions, he also wrote about music, particularly jazz.

He was born in Tangiers, Morocco, the son of Simy (Nahon), a former news correspondent, and Haim Toledano, a businessman and journalist. His parents were both Sephardic Jews and American citizens. Toledano was brought to New York when only five years old.

A proficient violinist from childhood, he attended the Ethical Culture Fieldston School and the Juilliard School.

Later, at Columbia University, Toledano studied literature and philosophy; he also became President of the Philolexian Society, member of the Boar's Head Society, and a contributor to Jester of Columbia. In addition, he joined the Socialist Party of America, becoming youth leader of the avowedly anticommunist "Old Guard" faction led by Louis Waldman. The Old Guard left the Socialist Party in 1936. He graduated from Columbia University in 1938. In 1940, Toledano became editor of the Socialist Party of America's magazine, The New Leader, succeeding James Oneal.

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