The Bravest Man I Ever Knew….

….greatly expanded the power and reach of his own organization, through the stroking of pens and speaking of words. He did it, even, under a veil of secrecy. His bravery undauntable, he achieved his unprecedented expansions of his own might even though this was all exactly in line with the wishes of the person he most relies on to keep his cushy job. He did it stalwartly, uncomplainingly, despite struggling with the general adoration of all the leaders of thought and power.

He was called Ben Bernanke, and we shall never see his like again. (I hope.) The Atlantic names Bernanke one of its top 27 "brave thinkers."

For more on The Real Ben Bernanke, see the mighty Tim Cavanaugh and me in previous episodes of Reason Online.