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Louis Levine was born near Kiev, Russia, on December 4, 1883 to Jacob and Anna L. At age four, Levine came to the United States with his father. He attended school in New York City and got his Ph.D. from Columbia University in 1912 and married Rose Strunsky the same year. He also studied in Russia, Switzerland, and France. Before coming to the University of Montana in Missoula in 1916, Levine served as an economic consultant and lectured on economics at Columbia University and at Wellesley College.

In 1918 he began work on a study of taxes paid by mines in Montana. Initially he had the consent of the university Chancellor and an understanding that the work would be published by the university. The book was finished by December. In January 1919, the Chancellor's approval was withdrawn and the university was no longer publishing the book. Further, Levine was urged to postpone publication indefinitely. Levine chose to have his book Mine Taxation in Montana published by B.W. Huebsch of New York. By February 11, 1919, Chancellor Elliott had suspended Levine under the charges of insubordination and unprofessional conduct prejudicial to the welfare of the university. Subsequent controversy extended beyond local and state concerns into a national arena. In April 1919, the Montana State Board of Education reinstated Levine with back pay. In October 1919, Levine requested one year's leave to serve as a special writer on economic problems for the magazine, The New York World. His request was denied and he resigned.

Levine worked at the magazine for a year. From there he went on to be a foreign correspondent and economics advisor to numerous national and international bodies. His posts included economic advisor to the International Labour Office; advisor to the first U.S. Delegation to the United Nations; staff member of the Brookings Institution; co-founder of the National Planning Association; advisor to the National Resources Planning Board; advisor to the Foreign Economic Association; and staff member of the Office of International Trade, U.S. Dept. of Commerce. He authored many books on economic planning.

In 1925 Levine legally changed his name to Lewis Levitzki Lorwin although he continued to ensure that he was credited with earlier work and writings under the name Louis Levine. He died in 1970.