David Nolan (libertarian)

David Nolan
David Nolan during his 2010 political campaign
Born	David Fraser Nolan (1943-11-23)November 23, 1943 Washington, D.C., U.S.
Died	November 21, 2010(2010-11-21) (aged 66) Tucson, Arizona, U.S.
Cause of death	Stroke
Occupation	Writer, politician
Political party	Libertarian
Spouse(s)	Elizabeth Nolan

David Fraser Nolan (/ˈnoʊlən/; November 23, 1943 – November 21, 2010) was an American activist and politician. He was one of the founders of the Libertarian Party of the United States, having hosted the meeting in 1971 at which the Party was founded. Nolan subsequently served the party in a number of roles including National Chair, editor of the party newsletter, chairman of the By-laws Committee, chairman of the Judicial Committee, and Chairman of the Platform Committee.

He is also known as the popularizer and as the inventor of the Nolan Chart which attempts to improve on the simplistic left versus right political taxonomy by separating the issues of economic freedom and social freedom and presenting them on a two-dimensional plane instead of the traditional line. As of 2012, it continues to be popular, distributed as "The World's Smallest Political Quiz".

Nolan was born on November 23, 1943, in Washington, D. C., and grew up in Maryland. During high school, he was influenced by Ayn Rand and Robert Heinlein and their libertarianism. He enrolled at MIT, graduating with a BS in political science in 1965.

Nolan was a member of Young Americans for Freedom in 1969 when more than 300 libertarians organized to take control of the organization from conservatives. Many walked out after a physical confrontation sparked by the burning of a draft card in protest to a conservative proposal against draft resistance. While sympathizing with the radicals, Nolan remained with the organization.