Ely Culbertson (July 22, 1891 – December 27, 1955) was an American contract bridge player, entrepreneur and personality. He was the dominant figure in the game in the 1930s. He played and publicized the new game. He was a great showman, and was widely regarded as "the man who made contract bridge". He became rich, was highly extravagant, and lost and gained fortunes several times over.