Edward Beale McLean. B. 1889, D. 1941 Best known as "Ned" McLean. Publisher of the Washington Post, 1916-1933.

McLean's father, John Roll McLean acquired the Washington Post in the early 1900's; Ned was the third and final McLean to hold the position of Editor.

Married to Evalyn Walsh, daughter of mining millionaire Thomas Walsh. Ned McLean purchased the Hope Diamond for his bride on a whim. While the couple eloped, they did so with $200,000 in "pin" money for their honeymoon expenses, only to find part way through the honeymoon that they were broke and couldn't pay a hotel bill when in Paris. Their parents, happy that they hadn't done anything drastic, such as trying to buy the hotel, happy wired money and the couple eventually returned to Washington, finally settling in at the McLean Family "country" residence "Friendship" on Wisconsin Avenue N.W. near the site of the National Cathedral.

The McLean's were the parents of three children, two sons and a daughter. Both sons died before their tenth birthdays, and their daughter committed suicide at age 25.

The McLean's frivolous spending accelerated during their marriage and their inability to understand the basics of money management resulted in their virtual bankruptcy towards the end of their lives. Together, the couple wasted two family fortunes worth millions (billions in current cash value) by splurging on such exotic (some considered wasteful) things as a million dollar birthday party for their dog, who was allowed to wear the Hope Diamond on his day of honor.

McLean and his wife were avid supporters of Warren G. Harding, whom they met through Nicholas and Alice Roosevelt Longworth. When Harding was elected President, he named Ned McLean to head up Harding's inaugural committee.

A chronic alcoholic, given to prolonged periods of binge drinking, Ned McLean suffered from ongoing psychiatric issues that effected his personality. Unable to care for her husband and his failing physical and mental health, Evalyn McLean had Ned committed to a private facility near Baltimore, Maryland, when he died in 1941.