Clarence Edward Beeby ONZ CMG (16 June 1902 – 10 March 1998), most commonly referred to as C.E.

Beeby's wife Beatrice was one of the founders of the New Zealand Playcentre movement, and his son was the distinguished New Zealand diplomat and international lawyer, Chris Beeby,[1] portrayed in Ben Affleck's film, Argo.

He was educated at New Brighton School and Christchurch Boys' High School, and initially studied law at Canterbury College, before switching to Christchurch Training College to study primary teaching.

On returning from England, Beeby worked as a lecturer and then acting professor at Canterbury College, before taking up the position of director of NZCER.

After leaving the Ministry of Education, he served as ambassador to France from 1960 to 1963, and also was assistant director-general for UNESCO.