As someone with immigration in his family background, Fred understood in his bones the importance of the promise of a pluralistic America and why the Left’s infatuation with identity politics was so wrongheaded. He understood cities as engines of opportunity whose streets must be safe and whose schools must prepare and uplift future generations. Such was the imprint his work left on City Journal, which has always shared this understanding.

New York and America are in desperate need of Fred Siegel’s wisdom. Today, sadly, we have lost its source.