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Thomas SowellAmerican economist, social theorist, philosopher and writer
Date of Birth: 30.06.1930
Country: ![]() |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Academic and Professional Career
- Intellectual Contributions
- Literary and Journalistic Work
- Recognition and Awards
- Political Views
Early Life and Education
Born in 1930 in North Carolina to an underprivileged African American family, Thomas Sowell faced significant hardships from a young age. His father passed away before his birth, leaving his mother to raise five children alone. After moving to Harlem, New York at the age of nine, he attended Stuyvesant High School, becoming the first in his family to complete more than six grades.
Despite academic promise, financial difficulties and family problems forced Sowell to drop out of school at 17. He worked various jobs, including as a messenger for Western Union and a machinist. In 1951, he joined the Marine Corps during the Korean War, where he became a photographer and a pistol instructor.
After his discharge, Sowell worked in Washington, D.C., while attending evening classes at Howard University. His academic talent and high grades earned him a scholarship to Harvard University, where he graduated summa cum laude in 1958 with bachelor's degrees in arts and economics. He continued his studies at Columbia University, earning a master's degree, and later at the University of Chicago, where he obtained his doctorate in 1968. Among his mentors were future Nobel laureates Milton Friedman and George Stigler.
Academic and Professional Career
In the early 1960s, Sowell worked for the U.S. Department of Labor. However, his passion lay in research and teaching. He has held faculty positions at Rutgers University, Amherst College, Brandeis University, and UCLA. From 1976 to 1977, he served as an advisor to the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University. Since 1980, he has been a Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University.
Intellectual Contributions
Sowell's research interests span a wide range of historical, social, and cultural phenomena. Known for his interdisciplinary approach, he uses economics as a tool to explore diverse topics, including race, ethnicity, politics, education, and cultural evolution.
Literary and Journalistic Work
Sowell is a prolific author, having written over 30 books. Some of his notable works include "Intellectuals and Society" (2010), "The Housing Boom and Bust" (2009), "Affirmative Action Around the World" (2004), "Knowledge and Decisions" (1980), and "Race and Economics" (1975). His autobiography, "A Personal Odyssey," was published in 2002.
Recognition and Awards
In 2002, Thomas Sowell was awarded the National Humanities Medal. In 2003, he received the Bradley Prize for Intellectual Achievement.
Political Views
Sowell takes a critical view of politics, arguing that many wars are instigated by those who have never experienced hunger or had to work for a living. He believes that economics should play a central role in policy-making, as it reveals the fundamental scarcity of resources and the consequences of disregarding economic principles.