Robert Fogel

Robert William Fogel was born on July 1, 1926, in New York City, USA. He would go on to become an influential economic historian, known for his quantitative historical research, particularly in the field of cliometrics, which involves the application of statistical methods to economic history. Fogel's groundbreaking work in this field earned him significant recognition and accolades throughout his career.

In 1964, Robert Fogel published his seminal work 'Railroads and American Economic Growth: Essays in Econometric History'. In this book, Fogel challenged the conventional wisdom of the time by using quantitative analysis to argue that the role of railroads in America's economic development had been overstated. This work established Fogel as a leader in the field of cliometrics and sparked debate and further research in economic history.

In 1965, Robert Fogel joined the faculty at the University of Chicago, where he worked as a professor of economics and history. This move marked the beginning of a long and productive association with the university, where he conducted much of his influential work. Fogel's presence at the University of Chicago reinforced the institution's reputation as a leader in the application of economic theory to historical research.

In 1974, Robert Fogel served as the President of the Economic History Association. During his presidency, Fogel continued to champion the use of quantitative methods in the study of economic history. His leadership helped to further legitimize and popularize cliometric approaches, encouraging the integration of statistical techniques in the analysis of historical economic data, and solidifying the field within academia.

In 1979, Robert Fogel, along with co-author Stanley Engerman, published 'Time on the Cross: The Economics of American Negro Slavery'. This publication utilized cliometric methods to analyze the economic efficiency of slavery in the United States. Fogel and Engerman's controversial findings challenged prevailing historical interpretations and sparked extensive debate, illustrating the dual potential for cliometrics to both enlighten and provoke discussion.

In 1981, Robert Fogel was elected as a member of the National Academy of Sciences, one of the highest honors a scientist or engineer can achieve. His election was a testament to his outstanding contributions to the field of economic history, recognizing his innovative approaches that combined historical inquiry with quantitative analysis, thus bridging two domains of knowledge and demonstrating the impact of econometrics in social science.

On October 11, 1993, Robert Fogel, along with Douglass C. North, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences for having renewed research in economic history by applying economic theory and quantitative methods to explain economic and institutional change. This prize recognized their work as pioneering contributions that greatly enhanced the understanding of economic processes through historical analysis.

In 2000, Robert Fogel published 'The Fourth Great Awakening and the Future of Egalitarianism'. This book explores the role of religion and spiritual awakenings in shaping American society and its implications for future social and economic policies. Fogel argues that spiritual forces can drive cultural transformations that have significant economic impacts, and he examines how these transformations have historically influenced equality and social structures.

In 2004, Robert Fogel launched the 'Center for Population Economics' at the University of Chicago, where he served as the director. The center focused on research related to the historical and present-day determinants of health and life expectancy, examining the economic and demographic changes over time. It highlighted Fogel's continuing interest in the interplay between populations, health, and economics.

Robert Fogel passed away on June 11, 2013, in Oak Lawn, Illinois, at the age of 86. His death marked the end of a prolific career in which he significantly influenced the field of economic history and the methodology of econometric analysis. Fogel's work bridged the gap between economic theory and historical data, leaving a legacy of innovative research that reshaped the way scholars understand economic and social history.