Edward Strong

Edward William Strong (October 16, 1901 – January 13, 1990) was an American philosopher and academic administrator. He is best known for his role as the Chancellor of the University of California, Berkeley, from 1961 to 1965. His time as chancellor was significantly impacted by the Free Speech Movement, and his actions during this period ultimately led to his resignation in March 1965. Strong had a long career at UC Berkeley, joining the faculty in 1932 and becoming a full professor in 1947. He was instrumental in establishing the university's Department of Sociology and Social Institutions, which he founded in 1946 and chaired until 1953. He also held administrative positions such as associate dean of the College of Letters and Science and Vice-Chancellor before becoming Chancellor. Beyond his administrative duties, Strong contributed to the establishment of the Department of Computer Science at Berkeley. After his resignation, he held the Mills Professorship of Intellectual and Moral Philosophy and Civil Polity until his retirement in 1967. Strong's academic leadership extended to his presidency of the American Philosophical Association and his role as a founder of the Journal of the History of Philosophy. He was also involved in the development of the Radiation Laboratory, which evolved into the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory.