the Morris and Sophie Chang building

History

For over a century, the Department of Economics at MIT has played a leading role in economics education, research, and public service. Undergraduate studies in economics were introduced to MIT in the late nineteenth century. In 1937, the Department added graduate courses leading to a master’s degree, and in 1941, it inaugurated the PhD program that is now renowned worldwide.

The department expanded significantly in the years following World War II. When MIT established the School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (SHASS) in 1950, the Economics Department played a central role. By the end of the 1950’s, the department was established as one of the world’s leading centers for economic research.

MIT Economics: A brief history

In Memoriam
 

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Morris Adelman
Professor of Economics, Emeritus
Sidney Alexander
Sidney S. Alexander
Professor of Economics and Management, Emeritus
Robert L. Bishop
Robert L. Bishop
Professor of Economics, Emeritus
E. Cary Brown
E. Cary Brown
Professor of Economics, Emeritus
Rudi Dornbusch
Rudiger Dornbusch
Ford International Professor of Economics
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Richard S. Eckaus
Ford International Professor of Economics, Emeritus
Franklin Fisher
Franklin M. Fisher
Jane Berkowitz Carlton and Dennis William Carlton Professor, Emeritus
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Ann F. Friedlaender
Professor of Civil Engineering and Economics; Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences (1984-1990)
Charles P. Kindleberger
Charles P. Kindleberger
Ford International Professor of Economics, Emeritus
Franco Modigliani
Franco Modigliani
Institute Professor Emeritus; Professor of Finance and Economics, Emeritus
Stephen Ross
Stephen Ross
Franco Modigliani Professor of Finance and Economics
Jerome Rothenberg
Jerome Rothenberg
Professor of Economics, Emeritus
Paul Samuelson
Paul A. Samuelson
Institute Professor Emeritus; Professor of Economics, Emeritus
Lester Thurow
Lester Thurow
Jerome and Dorothy Lemelson Professor of Management and Economics, Emeritus