Lester Crown (born June 7, 1925) is an American billionaire businessman, investor, and philanthropist, prominently known as the son of Chicago financier Henry Crown (died 1990) and Rebecca Kranz. His father immigrated from Lithuania as a child and, with brothers Irving and Sol, founded the Material Service Corporation in 1919, specializing in sand and gravel, which merged with General Dynamics in 1959. Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, Crown pursued higher education, earning a BS in chemical engineering from Northwestern University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. He has led the family business as Chairman Emeritus of Henry Crown and Company, overseeing diversified manufacturing operations and real estate. Crown is a key figure in Chicago's civic and global affairs, serving as Chairman of The Chicago Council on Global Affairs and past Chairman of the Civic Committee of The Commercial Club of Chicago. A leader in the Chicago Jewish community, he is a member of the World Jewish Congress and a vocal supporter of Israel. His influence extends through philanthropy and institutional roles, embodying a legacy of self-made industrial success from his family's entrepreneurial roots.