VOC Remembers Dr. Lee Edwards

One year ago today, the world lost a giant in the anti-communist movement: Dr. Lee Edwards, Founding Chairman of the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation (VOC). Many of you—our loyal VOC supporters—knew him well, and have shared fond memories of him over the past year.

Today we honor his legacy.

Lee Edwards was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1932, to Leila and Willard Edwards. His father, the national political reporter for the Chicago Tribune, moved the family to Silver Spring, Maryland, where Lee was raised. As a graduate student at the Sorbonne University in Paris, he witnessed Hungarian students in 1956 launch a revolution in the streets of Budapest that toppled the Communist regime. As Soviet tanks crushed the Freedom Fighters, he was appalled by the West’s lack of response and made a lifelong pledge to oppose communism.

From that point on, Dr. Edwards was a leader in the fight for freedom. He helped found Young Americans for Freedom in 1960 and was the first editor of YAF’s magazine, New Guard. He started or helped sustain key anti-Communist organizations, such as the National Captive Nations Committee, the Committee for a Free China, and the American Council for World Freedom. He served as director of public information for Senator Barry Goldwater’s 1964 presidential campaign and later earned a doctorate in world politics from the Catholic University of America. He was the founding director of the TFAS Institute of Political Journalism at Georgetown University, a fellow at the Institute of Politics at Harvard University, and a past president of the Philadelphia Society. He later served as Distinguished Fellow in Conservative Thought at the Heritage Foundation and as an adjunct professor of politics at Catholic University.

Often called the historian of the conservative movement, he was the author, co-author, or editor of over 25 books. In 1990, the Edwards family resolved that an organization was needed to memorialize all the victims of communism. With authorization by unanimous congressional legislation signed into law by President Bill Clinton on December 17, 1993, Dr. Edwards and his dear friend Dr. Lev Dobriansky co-founded the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation. Years of commitment resulted in the Victims of Communism Memorial, which was erected on Capitol Hill and dedicated by President George W. Bush on June 12, 2007. Dr. Edwards’ vision eventually led to the Victims of Communism Museum, which opened in June 2022, and the development of numerous VOC educational programs and materials.

Hear from Dr. Lee Edwards in His Own Words

Tributes

Lee Edwards was a friend, mentor, and hero to many, including those who only know him through his works over the course of a life well lived… And we will all continue, and redouble our efforts, in the work that remains here for us.
—Elizabeth Edwards Spalding, Chairman of the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation and Founding Director of the Victims of Communism Museum

I am grateful for Lee Edwards as a friend, counselor, and mentor. When I reflect on his vast contributions over the past seven decades, how he influenced others, it is his writing and thought leadership that stand out.
—Dr. Eric Patterson, President and CEO, Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation

With the passing of Dr. Lee Edwards, Freedom has lost one of it’s greatest champions and I have lost a friend. Lee Edwards was a giant in the Conservative movement and his devotion to memorializing the victims of communism as the founding chairman of the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation will impact generations. Karen Pence and I offer our deepest sympathies and prayers for his family, friends and all who admired this truly great American. God Bless Dr. Lee Edwards.
—Mike Pence, 48th Vice President of the United States

Lee’s contributions to the conservative movement and the cause of anti-communism are inestimable.
—Friend and VOC supporter

He was a man of great wisdom, empathy and courage.
—Friend and VOC supporter

He promoted and fought for the beliefs that he held dear. What an example to follow.
—Friend and VOC supporter

His was a long life highlighted by distinguished service to the cause of freedom and the nation that he loved.
—Friend and VOC supporter

Lee and Anne Edwards Freedom Fund

Last year after Dr. Edwards’ passing, the Lee and Anne Edwards Freedom Fund was established to support VOC’s educational initiatives. This fund recognizes the contributions of the entire Edwards family to the dream, and reality, of the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation and Museum.

Dr. Edwards reminded us again and again that it was the late Anne Edwards, his beloved wife of 57 years, who observed that a museum honoring the victims of communism was needed.

Friends and supporters wanting to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Edwards are invited to do so by donating to the Lee and Anne Edwards Freedom Fund at the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation.