John Lossing Buck

John Lossing Buck was an American agricultural economist who made significant contributions to the field of agricultural economics and rural development. He is best known for his work on Chinese agriculture and his collaboration with his wife, the renowned author Pearl Sydenstricker Buck. Buck's research and publications had a profound impact on the understanding of agricultural development in China and other parts of Asia, including Japan, Korea, and India. His work was influenced by prominent economists such as John Maynard Keynes and Thorstein Veblen.

● Early Life and Education

John Lossing Buck was born in Lynn, Massachusetts, to a family of Presbyterian ministers. He grew up in a family that valued education and social service, which would later influence his career choices. Buck attended Dartmouth College, where he studied economics and agriculture under the guidance of prominent professors such as Richard T. Ely and John R. Commons. After graduating from Dartmouth College, Buck went on to pursue his graduate studies at Cornell University, where he earned his Master's degree in agricultural economics under the supervision of Liberty Hyde Bailey and George F. Warren.

● Career

Buck's career as an agricultural economist spanned several decades and took him to various parts of the world, including China, Japan, and India. He worked with organizations such as the University of Nanking, the Chinese Government, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Buck's work focused on agricultural development, rural poverty, and food security, and he collaborated with prominent economists and researchers such as Arthur Lewis, Theodore Schultz, and Amartya Sen. He also worked closely with non-governmental organizations such as the Ford Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundation to promote agricultural development and rural development in Asia and other parts of the world.

● Research and Publications

Buck's research and publications had a significant impact on the field of agricultural economics and rural development. His book, Land Utilization in China, co-authored with Chang, Chih-i, is considered a classic in the field and provides a comprehensive analysis of Chinese agriculture and land use patterns. Buck also published numerous articles and papers in prominent journals such as the Journal of Farm Economics, the American Economic Review, and the Economic Journal. His work was influenced by prominent researchers such as Joseph Schumpeter, Frank Knight, and Gunnar Myrdal, and he collaborated with economists and researchers from Harvard University, University of Chicago, and Stanford University.

● Awards and Legacy

Buck's contributions to the field of agricultural economics and rural development were recognized through several awards and honors. He was awarded the Francis Walker Medal by the American Economic Association and the Gold Medal by the American Agricultural Economics Association. Buck's legacy continues to inspire researchers and policymakers working on agricultural development and rural poverty issues in Asia and other parts of the world. His work has been recognized by prominent institutions such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Buck's contributions to the field of agricultural economics have also been acknowledged by prominent researchers such as Amartya Sen, Joseph Stiglitz, and Michael Spence.

● Personal Life

Buck was married to the renowned author Pearl Sydenstricker Buck, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1938. The couple had a daughter, Carolyn Buck, and lived in China and the United States. Buck's personal life was marked by a deep commitment to social service and humanitarian work, which was reflected in his professional career as an agricultural economist. He was also an avid traveler and visited many countries, including Japan, Korea, and India, where he worked with local governments and non-governmental organizations to promote agricultural development and rural development. Buck's personal life was influenced by prominent figures such as Rabindranath Tagore, Jane Addams, and Albert Einstein, who shared his commitment to social justice and humanitarian work. Category:American economists