R. Edward Freeman

Robert Edward Freeman (born December 18, 1951) is an American philosopher and professor of business administration at the Darden School of the University of Virginia. He is particularly known for his work on stakeholder theory, originally published in his 1984 book Strategic Management: A Stakeholder Approach, and on business ethics. Freeman received a B.A. in mathematics and philosophy from Duke University and a Ph.D. in philosophy from Washington University in St. Louis. He taught at the University of Minnesota and the Wharton School before joining the University of Virginia. He is also academic director of the Business Roundtable Institute for Corporate Ethics and director of the Darden's Olsson Center for Applied Ethics. He served as president of the Society for Business Ethics and is an executive editor of the journal Philosophy of Management. Freeman has received awards such as the Pioneer Award for Lifetime Achievement and the Outstanding Faculty Award.