Knowledge Tree
Edge Foundation
Facts (5)
Sources
Why did Jeffrey Epstein cultivate famous scientists? scientificamerican.com Jan 20, 2026 5 facts
claimThe Edge Foundation was connected to physicist Lawrence Krauss, a former member of Scientific American's board of advisers who was removed in 2018 following sexual misconduct allegations.
measurementPublic records indicate that the Edge Foundation received $638,000 from Jeffrey Epstein between 2001 and 2015, making him its major funder.
claimThe Edge Foundation annually published books on scientific topics and was ubiquitous in science writing circles from 1998 to 2018.
claimJeffrey Epstein funded the Edge Foundation, which hosted parties for billionaires and facilitated contacts for Epstein with individuals such as Steven Pinker.
accountSteven Pinker's pre-TED Talk flight with Jeffrey Epstein was arranged by literary agent John Brockman, whose Edge Foundation hosted salons for Epstein that BuzzFeed News described as an "exclusive intellectual boys club."