History of Edwin Feulner in Timeline

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.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

August 12, 1941: Birth of Edwin Feulner

On August 12, 1941, Edwin John Feulner Jr. was born. He later became a political scientist and president of The Heritage Foundation.

Others born on this day/year

1963: Graduation from Regis University

In 1963, Edwin Feulner graduated from Regis University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English.

1964: Received MBA from Wharton School of Business

In 1964, Edwin Feulner received an M.B.A. from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.

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.

1989: Received Presidential Citizens Medal

In 1989, Edwin Feulner received the Presidential Citizens Medal, the second-highest civilian award in the United States.

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.

2007: Named one of the 100 Most Influential Conservatives

In 2007, Daily Telegraph named Edwin Feulner "one of the 100 most influential conservatives in America".

2007: Named one of the '50 Most Powerful People in D.C.'

In 2007, GQ magazine listed Edwin Feulner as one of the "50 most powerful people in D.C.".

2009: Listed as Sixth-Most Powerful Conservative

In 2009, Karl Rove, writing in Forbes, listed Edwin Feulner as the sixth-most powerful conservative in Washington, D.C.

2010: Named one of the 100 Most Influential Conservatives

In 2010, Daily Telegraph named Edwin Feulner "one of the 100 most influential conservatives in America".

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.

2013: President of the Philadelphia Society

From 2013 to 2014, Edwin Feulner was president of the Philadelphia Society.

2013: End of First Term as President

In 2013, Edwin Feulner's first term as the president of The Heritage Foundation came to an end.

2014: President of the Philadelphia Society

From 2013 to 2014, Edwin Feulner was president of the Philadelphia Society.

2014: President and Treasurer of Mont Pelerin Society

In 2014, Edwin Feulner served as president and treasurer of the Mont Pelerin Society.

2016: Election of Donald Trump

In 2016, Donald Trump was elected, which resulted in Edwin Feulner resuming his role as chairman of Heritage's board of trustees in 2017.

2017: Resumed role as Chairman of Heritage's Board

In 2017, Edwin Feulner briefly resumed his role as chairman of Heritage's board of trustees, following the 2016 election of Donald Trump.

2017: Resumption of The Heritage Foundation Presidency

In 2017, Edwin Feulner returned as president of The Heritage Foundation.

2018: End of Second Term as President

In 2018, Edwin Feulner concluded his second term as president of The Heritage Foundation.

2021: Chair of Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation

In 2021, Edwin Feulner was the chair of the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation.

September 2023: Endorsed Mike Pence

In September 2023, Edwin Feulner endorsed Mike Pence in the 2024 Republican presidential primaries.

October 2023: Pence Dropped out of Race

In October 2023, Mike Pence dropped out of the 2024 Republican presidential primaries, following Edwin Feulner's endorsement in September 2023.

2023: Retired as Chairman of Heritage's Board

In 2023, Edwin Feulner retired as chairman of Heritage's board of trustees.

2024: Republican presidential primaries

Edwin Feulner endorsed Mike Pence in September 2023 for the 2024 Republican presidential primaries.

July 18, 2025: Death of Edwin Feulner

On July 18, 2025, Edwin John Feulner Jr. passed away. He was known for his work as a political scientist and his leadership at The Heritage Foundation.