Eric Scott Royce

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Eric Scott Royce
Eric Scott Royce.png
At-Large Member
Libertarian National Committee
1974—1975
Region 7 Representative
Libertarian National Committee
1972—1974
Personal Details
Birth: October 26, 1951
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Government
University of Virginia
Occupation: Writer, Legal Researcher
Party: Libertarian
Republican
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Eric Scott Royce (born October 26, 1951) is an American writer, legal researcher, and Libertarian political activist. He is known for The Royce Report on Congress and his extensive involvement in Libertarian Party activities, including service on the Libertarian National Committee.

Early Life and Education

Royce was raised in Delaware County, Pennsylvania (1951–1968), and later in Union County, New Jersey (1968–1969). His parents were Henrietta D. and Robert R. Royce. He graduated from Westfield High School in 1969, earning a National Merit Scholarship. Royce attended the University of Virginia (1969–1973) as an Echols Scholar, graduating with a B.A. in Government.

Political and Activist Career

Republican Party Involvement

Royce's political engagement began in 1968 with Westfield (NJ) Youth for Nixon-Agnew. He served in leadership roles within the Westfield Teen-Age Republicans, chaired their Political Action Committee, and contributed regularly to The Westfield Leader and The Tusk.

At UVA, Royce was vice-chair and executive director of Young Americans for Freedom (1969–1972) and editor-in-chief of The Shadow, a conservative/libertarian campus publication (1971–1973). He actively participated in the University of Virginia College Republicans and the College Republican Federation of Virginia.

Libertarian Party Contributions

Royce joined the Libertarian Party in 1972. He authored a significant statement opposing public financing of federal elections, presented during congressional hearings in 1973. Royce contributed to LP News, founded and edited The Royce Report on Congress (1973–1974), and served on the Libertarian National Committee as Region 7 Representative (1972–1974) and At-Large Member (1974–1975).

Within the Virginia LP, Royce edited the state newsletter (1973–1974), chaired the LPVA Bylaws Committee (1980–1981), and coordinated the Arlington Libertarian Party (1981). His campaign experience includes advising and research roles for several Libertarian candidates, notably Ed Clark's 1980 presidential campaign.

Libertarian-Republican Alliance and Publications

Royce was on the national advisory board of the Libertarian-Republican Alliance (1975–1978). He published and edited the Southern Libertarian Review (1974–1978), Freedom in History (1984–1986), and contributed as an editor to New Libertarian Weekly (1975–1977). His articles appeared in Libertarian Review, Reason, Inquiry, Human Events, Ripon Forum, and The Washington Post.

Additional Activism

Royce actively participated in various civil liberties and anti-draft organizations, including:

  • Northern Virginians Against Involuntary Servitude (executive secretary and newsletter editor, 1979–1981)
  • Committee to Eliminate the New Draft (Washington representative, 1977)
  • NORML (state board member, 1977)
  • Ripon Society (national advisory board member, 1979–1980)
  • Washington Peace Center (board member, 1979–1980)

He has assisted prominent authors such as Alan Crawford, F. Paul Wilson, and Edwin Vieira, Jr. Royce is affiliated with multiple historical societies, including the Organization of American Historians, Peace History Society, and Save the Redwoods League.

Honors and Awards

  • Listed in Outstanding Young Men of America (1979)
  • Featured in Who's Who in the South and Southwest (24th ed., 1995–1996; 25th ed., 1997–1998)
  • Honorary Kentucky Colonel, appointed by Governor Louie B. Nunn (1971)

Personal Life

Royce married Kathryn Coe (1953–2011) in 1973; they divorced in 1978. He later married Julie A. Floyd (1951–2019) in 1984.

Royce continues scholarly work focused on isolationism during World War II and promoted Midnight, a gothic/industrial dance and music event in Washington, DC (2002–2015).

See Also