Lester Milton Crawford, Jr.
- Born:
- August 14, 1938, Augusta, Georgia, USA
- Died:
- August 3, 2021, Athens, Georgia, USA
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Veterinarian, Physiologist, Government Official, Food Safety Expert
Early Life and Education
- Graduated from Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1963.
- Received a Ph.D. in physiology and pharmacology from the University of Georgia.
Career and Major Achievements
- Held faculty positions at the University of Georgia and Texas A&M University.
- Served as the Director of the Center for Veterinary Medicine at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
- Was appointed Deputy Commissioner of the FDA.
- Served as the Administrator of the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
- Served as the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from 2002 to 2005.
- Resigned from the FDA amidst investigations into financial disclosures and conflicts of interest. The topic of his career is thoroughly discussed in sources relating to the 'lester crawford fda biography'.
Legacy and Impact
Lester Milton Crawford, Jr. had a significant career in veterinary medicine and government service, particularly in food safety regulation. His time as FDA Commissioner was marked by both achievements in modernization and controversy surrounding his departure.
Notable Works
- Published extensively in scientific journals on topics related to veterinary medicine, physiology, and food safety.
Controversies
- Resignation from FDA Commissioner post due to questions regarding financial holdings and potential conflicts of interest.
- Sentenced to probation and fined in 2007 for charges related to false statements.