Ansley J. Coale

Ansley J. Coale

Name	Ansley J. Coale
Birth name
Birth date	November 14, 1917
Birth place	Baltimore, Maryland, United States
Death date	November 5, 2002
Death place	Newtown, Pennsylvania, United States
Alma mater
Occupation	Demographer
Years active
Organization
Known for	Demographic transition theory, Population studies
Notable works
Spouse(s)
Website

Ansley Johnson Coale (November 14, 1917 – November 5, 2002) was a prominent American demographer known for his significant contributions to the field of population studies. He was a leading figure in the development of demographic transition theory and made substantial advancements in the understanding of population dynamics.

Early Life and Education

Ansley J. Coale was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and grew up in a family that valued education and intellectual pursuits. He attended Princeton University, where he earned his undergraduate degree in 1939. Coale continued his studies at Princeton, obtaining a Ph.D. in economics in 1947, where he focused on demographic research.

Career

Coale spent the majority of his career at the Office of Population Research at Princeton University, where he served as director from 1959 to 1975. His work was instrumental in establishing the office as a leading center for demographic research.

Contributions to Demography

Coale is best known for his work on the demographic transition theory, which describes the transition from high birth and death rates to low birth and death rates as a country develops economically. This theory has been fundamental in understanding population growth patterns and their implications for economic and social development.

He also collaborated with Paul Demeny to create the "Coale-Demeny Model Life Tables," which are used to estimate mortality rates in populations lacking reliable data. These tables have been widely used in demographic research and policy planning.

Publications

Coale authored and co-authored numerous influential books and articles, including:

• Population Growth and Economic Development in Low-Income Countries (1958)
• The Growth and Structure of Human Populations: A Mathematical Investigation (1972)
• Regional Model Life Tables and Stable Populations (1983)

Awards and Honors

Throughout his career, Coale received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to demography, including election to the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Personal Life

Coale was married to Susan Cotter Coale, and they had three children. He passed away in Newtown, Pennsylvania in 2002, just days before his 85th birthday.

Legacy

Ansley J. Coale's work continues to influence the field of demography. His theories and models are still used by researchers and policymakers to understand and address population issues worldwide.

Also see

• Demographic transition
• Population studies
• Model life tables
• Office of Population Research