Edward Ball was an American businessman and philanthropist. He was born in 1856 in South Carolina and was the son of a wealthy plantation owner. He attended the University of South Carolina and graduated with a degree in law. After graduation, he moved to Florida and began a successful career in banking and real estate. He was a major investor in the development of the Florida East Coast Railway and was instrumental in the development of the city of Miami. In addition to his business success, Edward Ball was a generous philanthropist. He established the Edward Ball Foundation in 1935, which provided scholarships to students from low-income families. He also donated large sums of money to the University of Florida and the University of South Carolina. He was a major supporter of the Florida State Museum and the Florida Museum of Natural History. Edward Ball was a respected figure in the business and philanthropic communities. He was a member of the Florida Board of Education and the Florida State Board of Education. He was also a member of the Florida Historical Society and the Florida Historical Commission. He was a major contributor to the development of the Florida State University and the University of Florida. He was a strong advocate for education and was a major supporter of the Florida Education Association. Edward Ball died in 1941 at the age of 85.