Edward graduated from Oberlin College BA summa cum laude (sociology/economics) (1960) and Harvard University AM and PdD in sociology (1964). He occupies the George Herbert Mead Distinguished Service Professor of Sociology emeritus, University of Chicago, served in various senior administrative positions including Chaird of Department, Dean of the Division of Social Sciences, and Provost of the University, President of the NORC Board of Trustees. Recipient of many research grants from the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health and private foundations, he has published extensively on social networks, political sociology, organizational analysis, and health and well being. He has been elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.