Paul Goodman was born in Dorpat, Estonia in 1875, and emigrated to England in 1891.
He served as the secretary of the Spanish and Portuguese Congregation and became a Zionist after hearing Theodor Herzl speak in London in 1896.
He served Herzl's Zionist Organization and in multiple leadership positions within the London movement.
He was appointed honorary secretary of the Political Committee by Chaim Weizmann and Nahum Sokolow prior to the Balfour Declaration.
After his death in 1949, the Zionist Federation of Great Britain released a memorial tribute, The Rebirth of Israel, in 1952.