Abram Harris

Abram Harris was a prominent American economist and academic who made significant contributions to the field of economics, particularly in the areas of institutional economics and race relations. He was a key figure in the development of the Chicago School of Economics and was influenced by notable economists such as Thorstein Veblen and John R. Commons. Harris's work was also shaped by his experiences as an African American in a segregated society, and he was a strong advocate for civil rights and social justice, often collaborating with organizations like the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the Urban League. His academic career was marked by appointments at prestigious institutions, including Howard University and the University of Chicago, where he interacted with esteemed scholars like Frank Knight and Jacob Viner.

● Early Life and Education

Abram Harris was born in Richmond, Virginia in 1899 and grew up in a family that valued education and social activism. He attended Virginia Union University and later transferred to the University of Pittsburgh, where he earned his undergraduate degree in economics and sociology. Harris then went on to earn his master's degree from the University of Pittsburgh and his Ph.D. in economics from the University of Chicago, where he was influenced by notable economists such as Frank Knight and Jacob Viner. During his time at the University of Chicago, Harris was also exposed to the ideas of Thorstein Veblen and John R. Commons, which would later shape his own approach to economics. He was also familiar with the works of W.E.B. Du Bois and Booker T. Washington, and was involved with organizations like the National Urban League and the Congress of Racial Equality.

● Career

Harris began his academic career at West Virginia State College, where he taught economics and sociology. He later moved to Howard University, where he became a prominent figure in the economics department and played a key role in shaping the university's academic programs. Harris was also a visiting scholar at the University of Chicago and was affiliated with the Brookings Institution and the Carnegie Corporation of New York. Throughout his career, Harris was committed to social justice and civil rights, and he worked closely with organizations such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the Urban League to promote economic empowerment and racial equality. He also collaborated with notable figures like Ralph Bunche and Thurgood Marshall on issues related to desegregation and voting rights.

● Contributions to Economics

Harris made significant contributions to the field of economics, particularly in the areas of institutional economics and race relations. His work focused on the ways in which social institutions and power structures shape economic outcomes and social inequality. Harris was critical of neoclassical economics and argued that it failed to account for the role of power and institutional factors in shaping economic behavior. He was influenced by the work of Thorstein Veblen and John R. Commons, and he drew on their ideas to develop his own approach to economics. Harris's work was also shaped by his experiences as an African American in a segregated society, and he was a strong advocate for civil rights and social justice, often citing the importance of Brown v. Board of Education and the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.

● Later Life and Legacy

Harris continued to teach and write throughout his life, and he remained a prominent figure in the field of economics until his death in 1963. He was a fellow of the American Economic Association and a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Harris's legacy extends beyond his academic contributions, as he played a key role in promoting social justice and civil rights through his work with organizations such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the Urban League. He was also a mentor to younger scholars, including David D. Lewis and Gunnar Myrdal, and he helped to shape the careers of many prominent economists and sociologists. Harris's work has been recognized by institutions such as the University of Chicago and Howard University, which have established fellowships and scholarships in his name, and his contributions to economics and social justice continue to be celebrated by organizations like the Economic Policy Institute and the NAACP.

● Major Works

Harris's major works include The Negro as Capitalist and Economics and Social Reform, which were published in the 1930s and 1940s. These books showcased his approach to economics and his commitment to social justice, and they remain important contributions to the field of economics today. Harris also wrote numerous articles and essays on topics such as institutional economics, race relations, and social policy, which were published in journals such as the American Economic Review and the Journal of Economic History. His work has been cited by scholars such as Gary Becker and Milton Friedman, and it continues to be studied by researchers at institutions like the University of California, Berkeley and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Harris's contributions to economics and social justice have also been recognized by awards such as the Spingarn Medal and the Spelman College National Council of Negro Women award. Category:Economists