Maurice Cranston (8 May, 1920 – 5 November, 1993) was a British philosopher, professor, and author. He served for many years as a Professor of Political Science at the London School of Economics, and was also known for his popular publications. Cranston's major works include biographies of John Locke, for which he received the 1957 James Tait Black Memorial Prize, and Rousseau and others addressing the history of liberty. He contributed to many publications in both Britain and the United States and wrote scripts for the BBC. He was born in London and educated at the University of London and the University of Oxford. He died of a heart attack while taping a television production in London for the BBC.
