Celebrating 75 Years: 1946 to 2021

It began with a simple but powerful idea, championed by the political economist Henry George at the dawn of the Gilded Age: by freeing communities from land speculation, governments can unlock opportunities that enable everyone to thrive.

A generation later, John Cromwell Lincoln turned the idea into a living legacy and created what would become the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy. After more than 75 years, at a time when gaping inequality persists, our founding ideals have never been more relevant.

Life of an Idea

Cleveland industrialist and inventor John C. Lincoln established the Lincoln Foundation in 1946 to advance the economic theories of Henry George. Both men believed in the power of land policy to create a more equitable society. Building on his father’s vision and initial success in the United States, David C. Lincoln later grew the organization internationally to explore how land policy could help solve problems in differing political and economic contexts. His daughter, Kathryn J. Lincoln, took the helm as chair of the board in 1996. Under her guidance and global vision, the board has expanded the institute’s reach and impact to address urgent challenges such as climate change. Operating first as a small foundation and later as a school, the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy now performs public policy research, education, and consulting on six continents. The Lincoln Institute carries forward John C. Lincoln’s vision in innovative and evolving ways to find answers in land.

The Lincoln Institute’s history and evolution is presented in this interactive timeline.