Alfred L. Edwards

Alfred Leroy Edwards (August 9, 1920 – January 26, 2007) was an American economist who was an emeritus professor of business administration at Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan, and the first African-American Deputy Assistant Secretary of Agriculture in the United States.

Early life and education

Edwards was born in Key West, Florida, the only son of Eddie and Kathleen Edwards.

Career Edwards taught at Southern University, the University of Iowa, Michigan State University, and Howard University before being appointed as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Agriculture in 1963. He served in this role from 1963 to 1973, receiving the Distinguished Service Award of the Department of Agriculture in 1969. He joined the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan in 1974, and remained at that institution for the remainder of his career. He served as president of the National Economic Association, and was a longtime trustee of Western Michigan University. there is an Alfred L. Edwards Collegiate Professorship named for him, and an Alfred L. Edwards Scholarship. The National Economic Association also established the Alfred Edwards Award for service to that organization.