Throughout his long and remarkable lifetime, David E. Finley (1890-1977) made brilliant contributions to the cultural life of this country. Yet less than thirty years after his death, his name is barely known. In David Finley: Quiet Force for America's Arts, biographer David Doheny revitalizes Finley's legacy, presenting the compelling story of his life and incorporating fascinating excerpts from recently discovered private journals, published here for the first time.

As the first director of the National Gallery of Art, founding chairman of the board of the National Trust for...