Career Timeline of Edwin Feulner: Major Achievements and Milestones

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: July 19, 2025

How Edwin Feulner built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Edwin Feulner is an American political scientist and a key figure in the conservative movement. He co-founded The Heritage Foundation in 1973, a prominent conservative think tank, and served as its president for a significant period, from 1977 to 2013, and again from 2017 to 2018. His work at The Heritage Foundation has been influential in shaping conservative policy and discourse in the United States.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1973: Founding Trustee of Heritage Foundation

From its founding in 1973, Edwin Feulner was a founding trustee of the Heritage Foundation.

1973: Involvement with The Heritage Foundation

In 1973, Edwin Feulner was instrumental in the founding of The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank.

1977: Presidency of The Heritage Foundation

In 1977, Edwin Feulner became the president of The Heritage Foundation, a role he held until 2013.

1977: Became President of Heritage Foundation

In 1977, Edwin Feulner became the president of the Heritage Foundation, after leaving Representative Crane's office. At the time, the foundation had been through four presidents since its 1973 founding and had nine employees.

1981: Received PhD from the University of Edinburgh

In 1981, Edwin Feulner received a PhD in political science from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. His doctoral thesis was on the Republican Study Committee.

1982: President of the Philadelphia Society

From 1982 to 1983, Edwin Feulner was president of the Philadelphia Society.

1983: President of the Philadelphia Society

From 1982 to 1983, Edwin Feulner was president of the Philadelphia Society.

1991: Chairman of the U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy

From 1982 to 1991, Edwin Feulner was the chairman of the U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy.

1995: Vice chairman of the Kemp Commission

From 1995 to 1996, Edwin Feulner was vice chairman of the National Commission on Economic Growth and Tax Reform, known as the Kemp Commission.

1996: Vice chairman of the Kemp Commission

From 1995 to 1996, Edwin Feulner was vice chairman of the National Commission on Economic Growth and Tax Reform, known as the Kemp Commission.

1997: Co-founded Belle Haven Consultants

In 1997, Edwin Feulner and Ken Sheffer co-founded Belle Haven Consultants, a Hong Kong-based consulting firm representing Malaysia-based clients.

1997: Started Index of Economic Freedom

Since 1997, The Heritage Foundation has been working with The Wall Street Journal on the Index of Economic Freedom.

1999: Member of Meltzer Commission

From 1999 to 2000, Edwin Feulner served as a member of the Meltzer Commission.

2000: Member of Meltzer Commission

From 1999 to 2000, Edwin Feulner served as a member of the Meltzer Commission.

April 2005: Report on Heritage Foundation's Softened Criticism of Malaysia

In April 2005, The Washington Post reported that the Heritage Foundation softened its criticism of the Malaysian government. This followed Edwin Feulner initiating a business relationship with Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad, through Belle Haven Consultants, co-founded by Feulner.

2005: Member of Gingrich–Mitchell Congressional UN Reform Task Force

In 2005, Edwin Feulner served as a member of the Gingrich–Mitchell Congressional UN Reform Task Force.

January 2013: Published column on Economic Freedom

In January 2013, Edwin Feulner published a column, "Economic Freedom on the Wane", reviewing the findings of the foundation's annual Index of Economic Freedom.