W. Arthur Lewis

William Arthur Lewis was born on January 23, 1915, in Castries, Saint Lucia, a small island in the Caribbean. He was the fourth of the five sons of George Ferdinand and Ida Lewis. His birth took place in a colonial setting, and he was raised in a close-knit community that valued education and hard work. Lewis showed promise from an early age and went on to become a distinguished economist. His early life in the Caribbean would later influence his work on development economics.

In 1938, W. Arthur Lewis graduated with first-class honors from the London School of Economics (LSE). He was only 23 years old at the time and graduated as one of the top students. His undergraduate work laid the foundation for his future contributions to economics. At LSE, he was mentored by prominent economists which influenced his theoretical and empirical research methods, leading him to later formulate the dual-sector model of economic development.

In 1948, W. Arthur Lewis was appointed as a full professor of economics at the University of Manchester. He became one of the first black faculty members at a major British university. During his tenure, he continued to develop his theories on economic development and collaborated with other prominent economists. His position at the University of Manchester facilitated much of his influential research that would lead to groundbreaking publications.

In 1954, W. Arthur Lewis published his seminal work "Economic Development with Unlimited Supplies of Labour". This paper introduced what became known as the 'Lewis model' or 'Lewis turning point'. The model addressed how developing countries transition from subsistence economies to monetized economies. Lewis's work laid the groundwork for development economics and influenced policy-making across the globe, proposing that industrialization could escape the low-income trap by utilizing the surplus labor from traditional agricultural sectors.

In 1958, W. Arthur Lewis was appointed as the first West Indian Principal of the University College of the West Indies. He took on the responsibility of transforming the institution into a fully-fledged independent university. Lewis's vision was to create an academic environment empowered to meet the developmental needs of Caribbean nations, emphasizing research and higher education. His contributions set the foundation for what would later become the University of the West Indies.

In 1963, W. Arthur Lewis became the first Vice Chancellor of the University of the West Indies, a pivotal role in shaping higher education in the Caribbean. His leadership was instrumental in expanding the university's influence and implementing academic programs focused on addressing regional challenges. Lewis's tenure as Vice Chancellor underscored his commitment to education and development in the Caribbean, advocating for institutional growth that aligned with local cultural and economic needs.

W. Arthur Lewis was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1970, in recognition of his contributions to the field of economics and his service as an educator and advisor to governments worldwide. This honor acknowledged his groundbreaking work on economic development and poverty alleviation, particularly in the context of developing countries. The knighthood also recognized his influence in both academic circles and practical economic reforms globally.

On December 10, 1979, W. Arthur Lewis was awarded the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences. He was jointly awarded the prize with Theodore W. Schultz for their pioneering research into economic development with particular attention to the problems of developing countries. Lewis's contributions illuminated how developing nations could break out of the vicious cycle of poverty through industrial growth, making him the first black laureate of the Prize, which generated significant recognition for his work worldwide.

In 1983, W. Arthur Lewis published his influential book "Growth and Fluctuations: 1870-1913", which analyzed cyclical and long-term trends in the world economy during these years. The work contributed significantly to the field of economic history and expanded upon his previous research by applying historical data to understand economic patterns and crises. His introduction of quantitative analysis into this historical period provided new insights and methodologies that enriched the discipline.

W. Arthur Lewis passed away on June 15, 1991, in Bridgetown, Barbados. His death marked the end of a remarkable career that spanned decades and vastly influenced the field of economics, especially concerning development in low-income countries. Throughout his life, Lewis was celebrated not only for his academic achievements but also for his impact on policy and his mentoring of the next generations of economists. His legacy continues to inspire many in the realm of economic development and education.