Edward Carl Stearns (July 12, 1856 – April 21, 1929) was an American entrepreneur and industrialist.

He was the founder of several companies in the late 19th century in Syracuse, New York,[1] including E. C. Stearns & Company, Stearns Automobile Company, Stearns Steam Carriage Company, Stearns Typewriter Company, and E. C. Stearns Bicycle Agency.