Ed Ryan was a political columnist, reporter, editor and bureau chief for the Courier-Journal. A native of Owensboro and graduate of Kentucky Wesleyan College, he began his reporting career at the Owensboro Messenger Inquirerwhile in college. He worked for the Lexington Herald, the Cynthiana Democrat and the Louisville Times before joining the Courier-Journal. He was assigned to paper's Bowling Green Bureau before being named urban affairs writer in Louisville. Subsequently he served as political editor, Washington bureau chief and Frankfort bureau chief -- the only reporter in Courier-Journal history to fill all three posts. He covered the 1975, 1979 and 1983 Kentucky governor's races and 1976 and 1980 presidential campaigns. Ryan started the Courier-Journal's popular Sunday political column. His knowledge of politics and engaging personality won him easy access to politicians. He was particularly adept at profiling personalities and relationships that shape politics. Ryan died on May 1, 1984, at age 45, of a cerebral hemorrhage while covering the Indiana's governor's race.