US statesman and lawyer, born in New York City, New York, USA. As a lawyer, he was executive director of Harlem Youth Opportunities (1962–3), later serving on the National Security Council (1963–4). He served as special counsel to President Johnson (1965–7), chaired the Equal Opportunities Commission (1967–9), then practised law in Washington (1969–76). As President Carter's secretary of the army (1977–81), he encouraged African-Americans to enlist. He later formed Alexander Associates in Washington.