Robert Fogel

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Robert William Fogel

Robert William Fogel (July 1, 1926 – June 11, 2013) was an American economic historian and scientist, who won the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences in 1993 alongside Douglass North for having renewed research in economic history by applying quantitative analysis and theoretical models. Fogel was a leading figure in the cliometric revolution, a movement that sought to systematically apply quantitative methods and economic theory to historical data. His work has had a profound impact on the field of economic history, challenging traditional narratives and methodologies.

Early Life and Education

Robert Fogel was born in New York City to Russian Jewish immigrant parents. He initially enrolled at Cornell University to study history but was drafted into the United States Air Force during World War II. After his service, he returned to Cornell, switching his major to economics, where he received his bachelor's degree in 1948. Fogel then pursued graduate studies at Columbia University, earning a Master's degree in economics. He completed his Ph.D. at Johns Hopkins University in 1963, where his dissertation laid the groundwork for his future research in economic history.

Career

Fogel began his academic career at the University of Rochester, where he started to apply statistical methods to historical questions, particularly in the context of American slavery. This work culminated in his controversial book, Time on the Cross: The Economics of American Negro Slavery (1974), co-authored with Stanley L. Engerman. The book argued, through quantitative analysis, that slavery was an economically viable institution that was becoming more efficient before the American Civil War. This thesis sparked widespread debate and criticism, leading to a reevaluation of the economic history of American slavery.

Fogel's later work continued to challenge conventional historical narratives. In Without Consent or Contract: The Rise and Fall of American Slavery (1989), he further explored the economic dimensions of slavery, addressing the moral and political debates surrounding the institution. His research extended beyond American history, examining the role of railroads in the development of the United States in Railroads and American Economic Growth: Essays in Econometric History (1964). This work argued that railroads were not as essential to America's economic growth as previously thought, a conclusion that sparked debate among historians and economists.

Throughout his career, Fogel held academic positions at several prestigious universities, including the University of Chicago, where he was the Charles R. Walgreen Distinguished Service Professor of American Institutions and the Director of the Center for Population Economics. His work was characterized by the innovative use of cliometrics, a term he helped popularize, which refers to the application of economic theory and quantitative methods to historical analysis.

Legacy

Robert Fogel's contributions to economic history were recognized with numerous awards, including the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences. His work has influenced generations of economists and historians, encouraging a more analytical and quantitative approach to understanding historical processes. Fogel's research demonstrated the value of applying economic theory and statistical methods to historical questions, challenging traditional narratives and providing new insights into the economic dimensions of historical events.

Selected Works

• Railroads and American Economic Growth: Essays in Econometric History (1964)
• Time on the Cross: The Economics of American Negro Slavery (1974, with Stanley L. Engerman)
• Without Consent or Contract: The Rise and Fall of American Slavery (1989)

Death

Robert Fogel passed away on June 11, 2013, in Oak Lawn, Illinois, leaving behind a legacy that continues to influence the fields of economic history and cliometrics.