Raymond Crotty Irish economist Date of Birth: 22.01.1925 Country: Ireland

1. Early Life and Education
2. Pursuing Higher Education and Teaching
3. International Development Consulting
4. Activism and Writings
5. Anti-EU Advocacy
6. Later Life and Legacy

Early Life and Education

Raymond Crotty was born in Kilkenny, Ireland, on January 22, 1925. Growing up in the historic city, he developed a keen interest in swine husbandry and pursued it as a hobby during his time at St. Kieran's College. Instead of attending university, Crotty immersed himself in agriculture, working on a relative's farm in 1942. He later attended a one-year course at Albert Agricultural College in Glasnevin, Dublin.

Pursuing Higher Education and Teaching

In 1945, Crotty purchased a 204-acre farm in Dunbell, near Kilkenny, where he applied his agricultural knowledge for the next two decades. While still farming, he undertook a part-time degree through the University of London, obtaining a Bachelor of Economics in 1959. He went on to attend the London School of Economics, earning a Master of Economics in 1961. In the same year, he became a Lecturer in Agricultural Economics at the University of Wales in Aberystwyth.

International Development Consulting

During the 1960s, Crotty sold his farm and became an economic advisor for various development organizations, including the World Bank. His work took him to remote parts of the world, including Latin America, India, and Africa. In 1976, he joined the University of Sussex and in 1982, became a Lecturer in Statistics at Trinity College, Dublin.

Activism and Writings

Crotty was a prolific writer, producing numerous books, pamphlets, articles, and open letters on topics such as economics, history, and Ireland's relationship with Europe. His final work, "When Histories Collide: The Development and Impact of Individualistic Capitalism," was posthumously published in 2001 and edited by his son. The book received high praise from Professor Michael Mann of UCLA, who described it as "a brilliant book by a brilliant man."

Anti-EU Advocacy

Crotty's firsthand experience in Irish agriculture shaped his views on Ireland's membership in the European Union. As a farmer, he believed that Ireland's land resources were being used inefficiently. He feared that EU membership would compound these problems, making Irish farmers reliant on external subsidies and the Union's Common Agricultural Policy. Moreover, as a former colony, he argued that Ireland should not align itself with its former colonizers and expressed concerns about the loss of national identity.

Later Life and Legacy

Despite his legal victory against the Irish government, Crotty failed to win over the majority of the public. Nevertheless, he continued to campaign against Irish EU membership until his death. Raymond Crotty passed away at St. Vincent's Hospital in Dublin on January 1, 1994, at the age of 68. He was laid to rest at Tulla Cemetery, near Kilkenny.