Born in Manhattan to a Celia née Harris and William Scherman,[1] Jewish family,[2] he grew up in New Rochelle, New York and then attended Dartmouth College.

He graduated in 1936 and became a photographer for Life magazine, covering World War II.

One photograph by Scherman of Miller in the bathtub of Adolf Hitler's apartment in Munich is one of the most iconic images from the Miller-Scherman partnership.

Scherman was on the steam ocean liner SS Zamzam when it sank in April 1941 after being attacked by German merchant raider Atlantis.

[5] Scherman contributed as an editor and author to various Life and photography publications including: