Ed Crane (executive)
Ed Crane | |
|---|---|
| Born | Edward Harrison Crane August 15, 1944 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Died | February 10, 2026 (aged 81) Falls Church, Virginia, U.S. |
| Academic background | |
| Alma mater | University of California, Berkeley (BSc) University of Southern California (MBA) |
| President of the Cato Institute | |
| In office 1977 – October 1, 2012 | |
| 3rd Chair of the Libertarian National Committee | |
| In office 1974–1977 | |
| Preceded by | Susan Nolan |
| Succeeded by | David Bergland |
| 2nd Vice Chair of the Libertarian National Committee | |
| In office 1972–1974 | |
| Preceded by | Susan Nolan |
| Influences | Ludwig von Mises, F.A. Hayek, Milton Friedman |
| Academic work | |
| Discipline | Economics, politics, social science, culture |
| School or tradition | Libertarianism |
| Institutions | Cato Institute (1977–2012) |
Edward Harrison Crane (August 15, 1944 – February 10, 2026) was an American libertarian activist who co-founded the Cato Institute, serving as the organization's president until October 2012.
In the 1970s, Crane was one of the most active leaders within the Libertarian Party. He directed the party as its national chair from 1974 to 1977, worked on John Hospers's presidential bid and managed Ed Clark's 1978 campaign for Governor of California. In 1980, Crane served as communications director to the Libertarian Party presidential ticket of Clark and vice presidential candidate David H. Koch. Prior to founding the Cato Institute, Crane was a chartered financial analyst and vice president of Alliance Capital in California.
Crane was a member of the board of various organizations, including Americans for Limited Government, a group that assists grassroots efforts throughout the country, and the Institute for Free Speech. He was also a member of the Mont Pelerin Society.