Wassily Leontief
Wassily Leontief (August 5, 1906 - February 5, 1999), born at St. Petersburg (Leningrad), USSR (now Russia), was an economist notable for his research on how changes in one economic sector may have an effect on other sectors. Leontief won a Nobel Prize in 1973.
Biography
Early Life
Wassily Leontief, the son of Wassily W. Leontief (professor of Economics) and Eugenia, entered the University of Leningrad in present day St. Petersburg in 1921. He earned his Learned Economist degree (equivalent to Master of Arts) in 1925 at the age of 15.
Opposition to Communism
He was arrested several times because of his opposition to Communism.
In 1925 he was allowed to leave the USSR, so he continued his studies at the University of Berlin ([1]) and in 1929 he earned a Ph.D. degree in Economics with a speciality in Input-Output Analysis and Economics.
Early Professional Life
From 1927 to 1930 he worked at the Institute for World Economics of the University of Kiel ([1]). There he researched the derivation of statistical demand and supply curves. In 1929 he travelled to China to assist the Ministry of Railroads as an advisor.
In 1931 he went to the USA, and was employed by the National Bureau of Economic Research ([1]).
Marriage and Affiliation with Harvard
In 1932 Leontief married the poet Estelle Marks.
Harvard University ([1]) employed him in the same year (1932) in its Department of Economics ([1]), and in 1946 he became a professor of Economics.
Leontief set up the Harvard Economic Research Project in 1948 and remained its director until 1973. After 1965 he chaired of the Harvard Society of Fellows.
Death
Leontief died in New York City, New York, USA, on Friday, February 5, 1999 at the age of 93.
Personal
It is known that he enjoyed trout fishing, ballet, and fine wines.
Publications
Awards
Memberships
See also
External links