Edwin Francis Gay (October 27, 1867 – February 8, 1946) was an American economist, professor of economic history, and the first dean of Harvard Business School.

He returned to Europe to study agriculture, industry, trade, and history at universities in Leipzig, Göttingen, Zurich, Berlin and London.

Back in the United States, in 1902, Gay was appointed instructor at Harvard University, replacing William Ashley.

[4] He was a founding member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and served as its first elected secretary and treasurer from 1921 to 1933, then as vice-president until 1944, succeeding co-founder Paul D.

[9] From 1929 onwards, he was the representative for America and de facto co-chairman of the International Scientific Committee on Price History.