George Joseph Stigler

Today is the anniversary of the birth of economist George Stigler. Stigler won the Nobel Prize for Economics in 1982. He was an important member of the group of economists that brought recognition to the University of Chicago.
His areas of expertise were wide and included history of thought, price theory, and economic regulation (see here). But his teaching ability and his sense of humor were also well-respected.  (In fact, those of you who value humor in economics may want to take notes.)

While I never had a chance to hear him, his autobiography Memoirs of an Unregulated Economist is among one of my favorite books about economists (he writes some great stories about Milton Friedman, one of his contemporaries in Chicago) and about the department. (I've added it to my carousel at left.) If you want an insight into a brilliant mind and the inner workings of an academic department that epitomizes excellence in economics, you'd be hard pressed to find better.

You can also learn about him at the Library of Economics and Liberty's Concise Encyclopedia of Economics.

I would welcome additional comments.