Nationality United States Role Political activist | Name Ed Crane | |
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Born August 15, 1944 (age 80) ( 1944-08-15 ) Los Angeles, California Institution Cato Institute (1977–2012) Alma mater University of California, Berkeley
(B.S.)
University of Southern California (MBA) Influences Ludwig von Mises, F.A. Hayek, Milton Friedman Education University of Southern California, University of California, Berkeley Fields Economics, Politics, Social science, Culture Influenced by Ludwig von Mises, Friedrich Hayek, Milton Friedman Similar People David Boaz, Charles Koch, David Koch, Murray Rothbard, Fred C Koch | ||
Organizations founded Cato Institute School or tradition Libertarian economics | ||
Edward Harrison Crane (born August 15, 1944) is an American libertarian and co-founder of the Cato Institute. He served as its president until October 1, 2012.
In the 1970s, he 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 Koch. In 2012, Ed Crane stepped down from Cato's board.
Crane has been a member of the board of various political organizations, including Americans for Limited Government, a group that assists grassroots efforts throughout the country, and the Center for Competitive Politics. Crane is also a member of the Mont Pelerin Society.
Tenure at Cato Institute
In 1977, with the funding of Charles Koch and the assistance of Murray Rothbard, Crane established the Cato Institute, a libertarian think-tank.
While at Cato, Crane grew the organization: from a staff of 10 and a budget of $800,000 when it first opened in San Francisco, to a staff of 127 and a $21 million budget in a newly renovated building in Washington, DC. He retired from Cato in 2012.